Before the world comes to Eugene later this month, the U.S. has to select its athletes. This weekend, the best American track and field competitors under age 20 will compete at Hayward Field.
Only the top two U.S. finishers from this weekend will go to the World Junior Championships. There will be plenty of local talent to root for. Five current U of O athletes and five freshmen recruits will compete on their home track. One of the veteran Ducks is Maggie Schmaedick, a 2013 Sheldon High School graduate. She enters Sunday's 5K race with the country's fastest junior time.
Schmaedick: "This season has just been absolutely surreal, has surpassed my expectations. I feel so blessed that I've been able to compete with the O on my chest. So it's fun to just continue that into the summer."
In addition to college freshmen and sophomores, several regional high school standouts will also compete. The meet takes place Saturday and Sunday at Hayward Field and is free to attend.
