By Gus Morris
The Oregon men’s and women’s track and field teams put on a show on the first day of the Pac-12 outdoor championships. The men lead the field with 69 points, while the women sit tied for fifth but looked primed for a title run after 13 athletes qualified for finals on Sunday. The Ducks are looking to sweep the championships for the ninth year in a row.
For the second straight year, Oregon’s Edward Cheserek won the 10,000 meters. It was the seventh Pac-12 title for the senior, who is starting to run out of room for all his trophies. Maggie Vanoni has the story.
Thirty-three of Oregon’s 51 points came from field events, highlighted by the 11 points the Ducks got from Damarcus Simpson and Mitch Modin in the long jump. Simpson also qualified for the finals in the 100 and the 4×100. Get the full story of his day from Becky Hoag.
Speaking of the long jump, Oregon freshman Rhesa Foster was the surprise of the day on the women’s side. She won the event with a jump of 20-6 1/2, beating out the two favorites, USC’s Margaux Jones and Oregon State’s Kara Hallock. Becky Hoag has the story.
Check below for more stories on non-Oregon athletes.
Morgan Sudduth on Stanford’s Mackenzie Little, who won the women’s javelin.
Arizona State’s Maggie Ewen won the women’s shot put with a throw of 56-4 1/2 feet. Abigail Winn has the story on Ewen.
Colorado took the lead in the women’s events after Saturday, thanks in part to Madison Boreman and Sage Hurta going 1-2 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Ariel Sax on the big day in the steeplechase for the Buffs.
Cal’s Bethan Knights finished third in the women’s 10,000 while her biggest fan watched from the stands. Shawn Medow on her emotional run.
Matthews Eckles wasn’t favored in the men’s pole vault, but expectations didn’t keep him from winning the event. Sierra Webster has the story on his unlikely win. Another surprise winner was UCLA freshman Isaiah Holmes in the high jump; get the story from Kim Holm.
UCLA’s Peter Simon won the men’s shot put title in dramatic fashion on his last throw. Check Maggie Vanoni’s story on his accomplishment.
Arizona’s Bailey Roth won the men’s steeplechase and credited his training partner, Olympian Bernard Lagat, as the reason. Maverick Pallack has the story on Roth and his idol.
Washington’s Carson Fuller wasn’t feeling his best before the men’s championship in the javelin, but that didn’t stop him from throwing 244-0 to win the event. Linden Moore talked to Fuller about his winning throw.
Washington State’s Brock Eager won the men’s hammer throw in the pouring rain. Unlike many athletes, Eager was, well, eager to compete in the downpour. Emma Childs has the story.
