By Romaine Soh
The Oregon Ducks faced many hurdles going into the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this year. Redshirt sophomore Devon Allen was just getting back after tearing his ACL last year. Junior Edward Cheserek had been struggling during low-key home meets after a stellar cross country and indoor season.
Though the Oregon men failed to defend their NCAA team title Friday, two of them managed to score three individual titles. Allen powered through several hurdles to win his second NCAA 110-meter hurdles title. Cheserek executed his signature kick to successfully defend his 5000 and 10,000-meter titles, firmly dispelling any doubts that both of them were too injured to compete, let alone win.
Allen and Cheserek contributed 30 points to the team’s 48 points, which saw the Oregon men finishing fourth. Florida won the title with 62 points, followed by Arkansas (56) and Texas A&M (50).
“It was probably not what we were looking for, but our kids put in a valiant effort,” said head coach Robert Johnson. “We didn’t give it away. Florida came and they took it.”
Allen had started his outdoor season on a high note, winning every home meet he was entered in. Though his time of 13.50 seconds was enough to beat Kentucky’s Nick Anderson by .17, he still has to work on his technique heading into the Olympic trials.
“Devon is a special dude,” said Johnson. “He’s probably still not quite to form yet. He knocked over a lot of hurdles, not as clean of a race.”
On the other hand, Cheserek had people worried as he lost the two home meets he was entered in this season. During the Pepsi Invitational, social media generated a lot of hype prior to his event, but he ended up losing to Washington’s Colby Gilbert. In the Oregon Twilight, Cheserek was entered at the last minute and lost to Lewis-Clark State’s Sam Atkin.
Towards the end of the season, Cheserek rebounded in time to win the Pac-12 Championships and was the first qualifier in the NCAA Preliminary West Championships.
On Friday, back to Hayward for the last time this season, Cheserek did not disappoint the home crowd as he kicked home with the roaring spectators egging him on to win the double in the 5,000 in 13 minutes, 25.59, about a half second ahead of Stanford’s Sean McGorty. Along with Wednesday’s victory in the 10,000, Cheserek ended his junior year with 15 NCAA titles.
“It’s Hayward Field, man,” said Cheserek. “No matter what, I’m still just like “I’ve gotta run at Hayward.’”
Throughout the season, the Oregon administration had kept mum about Cheserek’s condition, and he finally opened up about it after finishing his season.
“I finished indoors, I took a week off and when I came back, my hamstring was really tight and swollen,” he said. “We usually train in 6-week blocks. I missed three of those.”
Now that the men’s team is done with the year, Johnson can take stock of its achievements – after, he said, a song and dance on Hayward.
“It’s a new thing here, a little different,” said Johnson. “After that we’ll talk, get a sense of their emotions. I can imagine they’re a little disappointed. But, job well done.”
