DES MOINES, Iowa — The University of Oregon women’s track and field team claimed its third consecutive second place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 11. While not being able to claim a team national championship, the Ducks did claim three individual national championships.
Matthew Centrowitz, a redshirt junior from Arnold, Md, was the only athlete on the men’s side to claim a national championship, which was in the 1500 meters.
The women claimed two individual national championships in both the 800 meters and the pole vault. Sophomore Anne Kesselring took the 800-meter title and senior Melissa Gergel claimed the pole vault title.
The Ducks women entered the final day of competition with a slight four-point lead over Oklahoma State. They ended up tied with Texas A&M entering the 4×400 meter relay.
Texas A&M pulled claimed its third-straight national championship with its victory in the event with a time of 3:26.31 with Auburn finishing second (3:26.46) and Oregon third with a school-record of 3:28.18.
The Oregon men finished in 10th position with Centrowitz’s 1500-meter title being the one highlight for the team.
Oregon Duck's runner Matthew Centrowitz // Photo: oregonlive.com
Centrowitz controlled the race right from the beginning and looked as if he was going to control the race from start to finish before he was passed up in the second half of the race. He shortly responded to re-take the lead as the bell sounded when the whole pack seemed to respond. Centrowitz was able to hold off a late push from Arkansas senior, Dorian Ulrey before crossing the tape.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I figured I would be up in the front this time,” Centrowitz said. “I was kind of weird being in the lead on the first lap, but I was just staying as relaxed as possible.”
He couldn’t hide the excitement of winning a national crown.
“I’m really excited to get my first NCAA title,” Centrowitz. “That’s been a goal of mine for a long time.”
On day three, Kesselring was able to make a strong move with 100 meters remaining to move from third to claim her title ahead of Oklahoma State freshman Natalja Piliusina by 1/100th of a second.
Kesselring, who claimed the second 800-meter tile in school history, made a move away from the rail and being trapped to pass Tennessee junior Chanelle Price and Piliusina to cross the finish line with a personal-best time of 2:02.15.
“I’m just so happy,” Kesselring said. “Coming off the turn I was a little boxed in, but I knew I had to make a move and it worked out.”
Later that day it was time for Gergel to win her national title in her last meet as a Duck.
She was able to do it in record-setting fashion; she tied the meet record with a height of 14’7. 25”. The height was an outdoor personal-best for the senior from Glenwood, Ill. and the second best in school history.
“After I made 4.40 meters, I told myself, ‘I’m going to win’,” Gergel said. “It’s really just the perfect ending.”
The University of Oregon will host the U.S.A. Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field on June 23 at 10 a.m.
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