One of the most storied professional track and field meets in the world turned 40 this weekend. The best US and international athletes traveled to Eugene for the Prefontaine Classic.
Two American records fell at the 2014 Pre. Shannon Rowbury set the record in the 2 mile distance. And to the joy of his former home crowd, Galen Rupp broke his own national record in the 10,000 meters.
The Pre Classic is a home meet of sorts for many of the athletes who took the field this weekend. In addition to Rupp, former University of Oregon stars Matthew Centrowitz, Jordan Hasay, Jordan McNamara, and Ashton Eaton also raced.
Despite the big names and big cheers, the only former Duck to finish in the top three of a race Saturday was 2010 grad Jordan McNamara. The Lane Community College transfer came in second in the International Mile.
NCAA champion sprinter English Gardner, seemed to have a regret or two about leaving the U of O a year early to pursue a professional career. First that she doesn’t get to train at Hayward Field. Second…
Gardner: “I think I am a bit salty my girls are doing so well and I’m not on the team. It’s definitely a good feeling that the legacy can go on without you.”
The U of O women are poised to compete for a NCAA Championship in just two weeks in Eugene.
Also of note in the famed Bowerman Mile, Mattew Centrowitz achieved a personal best time of 3:50:53, but that was only good enough for 8th in the talent-packed field.