Olympic Trials: Oregon Alumni Flock To Hayward Field To Compete
The Oregon Ducks will be well represented at the Olympic Trials with a handful of former Ducks competing with current student athletes for a chance to go to Rio.
More from Autzen Zoo
- Oregon football: Ducks and Coach Prime playing it cordial leading up to Saturday
- Oregon Basketball: Non-conference slate features Michigan coming to Eugene
- Oregon football: Ducks find complete game effort in win vs Hawaii
- Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii
- 8 Pac-12 teams represented in Associated Press Top 25 after Week 2
On Wednesday it was announced that Oregon had 14 Student Athletes set to compete in the Olympic Trials that start Friday at Hayward Field. The University of Oregon is sticking with their Tracktown USA moniker and sending more athletes to the Trials than any other College in the Country.
Aside from having the experience from the NCAA Championships, some winning National Titles last month, the experience will be similar, but on a much bigger stage. Oregon Alumni will also return to Eugene to compete over the ten day event. The biggest name on the Alumni list, Decathalete Ashton Eaton. He won Gold in London in 2012 and took the best mark, at the time, at Hayward Field in weather conditions that were not the best.
He returns to compete on July 2nd and 3rd. Other former Oregon Ducks will also be looking to get to Rio including former 800 Meter Champion Laura Roesler, Distance Runner Galen Rupp, who will tackle the 10,000 Meter on Friday night, English Garnder will make her return, and Andrew Wheating, who came down the home stretch to cheers in 2012 in the 1500 will look to some Hayward Field magic to get back to the Olympics.
Must Read: A Look At Andrew Wheating As He Prepares For the Olympic Trials (The Oregonian)
Wheating has struggled since 2012, with injuries, and has yet to meet the Olympic Time in the 1500 meters, so the race on July 7th, a semi-final, will make or break his shot at Rio De Janiero.
Next: Is Devon Allen The Fastest Player In College Football?
The 2016 Olympic Track and Field Team Trials begin on Friday in Eugene. Autzen Zoo will have Coverage throughout the event and Justin Phillips will have Live Reports from Hayward Field. If you are in the Eugene/Springfield area you can hear them on Newsradio 1120 KPNW.