It’s Go Time For University Of Oregon Cross Country Teams

It’s a busy time in Track Town USA.  Every year, as the leaves start to fall in Eugene, Oregon, U of O cross-country runners gear up for the most crucial part of their season. With many healed runners back on the course, both men and women Duck teams look to the 2014 championship season, which begins Friday, October 31^st in Oakland, California.

Going into the postseason, the Oregon men are ranked No. 2, behind Colorado, a long-time rival.  The Oregon women are seated at No. 3, behind Georgetown at No. 2 and Michigan State in the first position.

This season we have seen some impressive results from the Ducks.  Late September, defending NCAA champion Edward Cheserek showed strength early in the season capturing his fifth cross country race victory in a row at the Battle in Beantown in Boston.  Cheserek was backed by teammates Daniel Winn, Eric Jenkins, and Sam Prakel. This gave Oregon fans an exciting glimpse into what the season holds for the Ducks.

On the Lady Ducks side, senior Lindsay Crevoiserat is in her final season at U of O, and has vowed to make it her best.  Early October, the Lady Ducks were led by Crevoiserat’s fourth place finish, as they went on to win the Washington Invitational.  Teammates junior Molly Grabill and freshman Frida Berge have posted impressive times all season, helping to round out the impressive team scores.

October 18^th concluded one of the most anticipated pre-championship races in the world of collegiate running, the Pre-Nationals in Indiana.  Cheserek ensured another victory with a time of 24:04 on this quick course, making it his sixth victory in a row.  The Men of Oregon nestled closely behind Colorado.  On the women’s side, the Ducks ran strategically smart as a team, with each runner finishing within 10 seconds of each other.  They finished in second place behind Georgetown.

Going into the Pac-12 Championships, the Ducks know the challenges that await them.  The men have met Colorado a few times this season and are eager to pose a greater challenge when they race against the Buffaloes on Friday.  Defending Pac-12 champion Cheserek looks to clinch another victory this year.

The ladies must continue to run solid as a team, as the race will most likely come down to the sixth and seventh place runners’ points.  It will be a challenging race for the women, with over half of the women’s field ranked.

For cross country athletes, fans, and coaches, the season is just beginning.  The excitement begins October 31^st, with the women’s race at 10am and the men’s at 11am.