Here are some hometown favorites—athletes who competed for the University of Oregon—who will be competing this weekend at the Prefontaine Classic.
Matthew Centrowitz, Jr. – Bowerman Mile, PR: 3:50.53
The son of a two-time Olympian and All-American distance runner, Centrowitz won the NCAA title in the 1,500 in 2011, was a three-time Pac-10 champion and was a seven-time All-American. He left the UO early to race professionally and earned a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu and a silver medal at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow.
Galen Rupp – 5,000 meters, PR: 12:58.90
In 2008, Galen Rupp had one of the best seasons a distance runner could have. He won the NCAA championship in cross country; the NCAA indoor championship in the 3,000 meters, 5,000 and distance medley; and the NCAA outdoor championship in the 5,000 and 10,000. In the 2012 Olympics, Rupp took the silver medal in the 10,000. He holds the American record in the 10,000 with a time of 26:44.36.
English Gardner – international 100 meters, PR: 10.85
English Gardner still holds UO records in five events, including the 100 meters. Gardner won the NCAA championship in the 100 meters race twice, the 4×400-meter relay, the indoor 60 meters and the indoor 4×400-meter relay. Since graduating, she has won the 100-meter national championship and placed fourth at the 2013 worlds.
Phyllis Francis – 400 meters, PR: 50.86
Francis, who just graduated in 2014, is the first woman in UO history to win the NCAA title in the 400 meters. In 2012, she was part of the 4×400-meter relay team that won the NCAA championship. Francis was part of the team that won the 4×400-meter relay at the 2015 World Relay Championships.
Zoe Buckman – 1,500, PR: 4:04.09
In 2011, Zoe Buckman’s third-place finish in the mile was a key part in the women’s second straight NCAA team title. The native Australian also picked up a couple of Pac-10 championships and was a four-time All-American. Buckman represented Australia at the 2012 Olympics in the 1,500 meters. She set her PR in the 1,500 at the 2014 Pre Classic.
