Even with all the negative stories coming out of Rio, I am still excited for the 2016 Summer Games. How can I not be? In fact, I’m eschewing tech talk this week because the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials ended just over a week ago, and nearly 30 members of the U.S. are based in the Pacific Northwest.
Many of the 28 Pac-NW athletes who won berths on the team are heading to their first Olympics, but there’s also a handful of veterans, some of whom medaled in previous years or who are looking to finally hit the podium.
Back for More
The University of Oregon is sending a number of alums back to the Olympics this year. One of the biggest names is Oregon native Ashton Eaton. One of the brightest young stars in this year’s competition, Eaton also happens to be the reigning Olympic champion in the decathlon. He is poised to repeat his gold, as he finished first at the trials this year. In fact, the triple title holder finished in record fashion, smashing his own Olympic trials record of 9039 points with 9045.
Another U of O alum returning for another medal, perhaps of a different shade, is Galen Rupp, the 2012 silver medalist in the 10,000m. Rupp finished first in the trials this year, a record eighth-consecutive USA Track and Field Trials win, in less than 28 minutes.
Vancouver, WA-native Kara Winger will be returning to javelin competition for her third Olympics in a row. She finished third at this year’s trials, just her third meet of the season. In London in 2012, another Oregon alum missed the podium by one place. This year, Matthew Centrowitz is looking for a medal in the 1500m in Rio. He finished first in the event at Hayward Field, and will be the second generation two-time Olympian in his family. His father, Matt Centrowitz, is a fellow Oregon alum and distance runner who broke Steve Prefontaine’s school record in the 1500m.
Fresh Talent
Of the 28 Pac-NW athletes on the team this year, 17 are heading to the Games for the first time. One of those is Ducks wide receiver Devon Allen, who finished first in the 110m hurdles with a time of 13.03 seconds.
The women’s 200m will be represented by two more Ducks. Current Oregon athlete Deajah Stevens took second in the trials, and alum Jenna Pradini took third. Colleen Quigley, who trains in Beaverton with running tech giant Nike’s Bowerman Track Club, is headed to her first Olympics this year, taking third in the 3000m steeplechase, one of the most grueling and entertaining races in track and field competition.
Military Men
The U.S. Army is being represented in track and field by four soldiers, all born in Kenya. All four are part of the Army’s World Class Athlete Program. Two of the four train in Beaverton at Nike’s campus.
Finishing second behind Rupp in the 10000m was Spc. Shadrack Kipchirchir. Kipchirchir went to school in Oklahoma, and was a four-time All-American at the collegiate level. Fellow Kenyan-born soldier and Oregon-based middle distance runner Spc. Paul Chelimo also claimed a spot on the Olympic team.
Chelimo was one of two athletes leading the 5000m toward the end, but Washington State alum Bernard Lagat employed a devastating kick to earn a trip to his fifth straight Olympics.
With all the Pac-NW talent on the U.S. track and field team, no one should get bored watching competition in Rio this year. Given that there are nearly 30 of them, you can also bet that there are a lot on the U.S. team as a whole. Start following your favorites. There’s less than a month.
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