The Duck men’s and women’s track and field teams both finished second at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and Texas A&M swept the men’s and women’s titles. The Aggies men’s team finished with 48 while Oregon, Florida and Florida State each finished with 46. The Aggies women’s team had 50 points and Oregon had 43. Second place was the women’s highest finish in 24 years and it was even more impressive because in 2007 they had nine points for 27th place.
Second place was more disappointing for the men, who had dreams of a rare triple crown: titles in cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field. Oregon’s big three of Galen Rupp, Ashton Eaton and Andrew Wheating did their part, each winning the events they entered. Galen Rupp dominated the 10,000 meters and won the 5,000 meters the next day despite having to fix his shoe, which another runner stepped on during the race. Ashton Eaton won the decathalon by scoring a personal-best 8,241 points. Andrew Wheating dived at the finish line to win the 800 meters in 1 minute 46.21 seconds, .06 seconds ahead of Texas’ Tevan Everett.
Oregon’s Matthew Centrowitz, the collegiate leader in the 1,500 meters, eased up during the end of his qualifying heat and finished last. It’s unclear what the problem was but he may have a foot stress fracture. If Centrowitz finished sixth or higher had he qualified for the finals, that would have given the Ducks enough points for the title. Now it’s time to look ahead to 2010, where Hayward Field will be host to the NCAA Track and Field Championships.
Coming up for Rupp, Eaton and Wheating is the USA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in two weeks.
