It’s another Hayward big throw show for shot putters Eugene Register-Guard  article by Bob Clark

A stumble and a splash on last barrier provide title margin for Emma Coburn Eugene Registe-Ruard Article by Ron Bellamy

Master pace theater in the 800 Nick Symmonds launches from last place at the Pre Classic to his fourth U.S. 800-meter title in a row Eugene Register-Guard story by Curtis Anderson

J J Juilfs led an impressive array of talent  from the Northwest by placing first but the region had much of which to be proud.    Here is a review of the top performances from the region. 

  Action in the men’s 5k for Juniors provided a three way battle between Ammar Moussa, Parker Stinson, and Jacob Hurysz early in the race but Moussa, a prep from California pushed the pace late in the contest and led the way at 3600 M with a time of  10:21.8.  His move dropped North Carolina’s Hurysz, and it became a two man duel.

Nick Symmonds a favorite adopted son Eugene Register-Guard story by George Schroeder

Morgan LeLeux (photo above left) went 13-7.25 in the pole vault. Kayla Beattie (photo above right) ran an impressive time of 16:29.92 to win the women’s 5K on Friday by almost half a minute.

Junior championships went to Shelbi Vaughn in the Discus & Derek Eager in the Javelin.

USA Track & Field: SUPERIOR DECA-RATING Eugene Register Guard Article  

Eugene’s Erin Gray walks her way onto national stage After injuries forced her to stop competitive running, South Eugene grad excels as a race walker Eugene Register-Guard article by Bob Clark

Mo better running for Galen Rupp Galen Rupp credits training partner Mo Farah for pushing him    Eugene Register-Guard article by Curtis Anderson

Ah Grasshopper, It’s the Hammer Throw NY Times article by ISOLDE RAFTERY

Who advances to the World Championships Daegu? Ron Bellamy of the Eugene Register-Guard explains the varying permutations for inviduals qualify in for the World Track Championships.

USA Outdoor Track & Field Meet Approaches Eugene Register-Guart story by Ron Bellamy

Wesley Frazier & Ed Cheserek won the 5K at New Balance on Thursday.  (Frazier is  shown at Foot Locker last Dcember in a photo by Colleen Collins)

After years of dreaming plus hard work  ceremonies were held today in Corvallis, when the ground was broken for a new Track & Field facility.

Runners from California, Alaska, Idaho, Washington & Arizona participated in the Portland Track Festival.

Oregon track and field: Matthew Centrowitz puts his stamp on Oregon history with NCAA 1,500 title Eugene Register-Guard  story

Jessica Beard’s hairy final leg of 4x400 relay gives Texas A&M women’s crown over Ducks Eugene Register-Guard story by Curtis Anderson

Katie Knight & Marcus Dickson of Washington, Sarah Baxter of California & Idaho athletes Erik Harris & Emily Nist  plus Alaska's Jami Bethea join the invasion of out-of-state athletes at the Portland Track Festival.

Oregon track & field: Stormy weather can’t foul Duck women’s performances at NCAA championships Eugene Register-Guard article by Curtis Anderson

Carlyle puts Oregon State back on the NCAA track map Crvallis Gazette article

Another first:   Jennifer Macias Full story does not appear on the on-line version but  here is the rest from the Hermiston Herald :   Creating the dream   By Billy Gates Hermiston Herald | Posted: Saturday, June 4, 2011 4:22 am   Former Hermiston standout distance runner Jennifer Macias was the first of her family to graduate from high school.  That was four years ago. On June 11, the Oregon State University long distance runner will be the first to don the mortarboard and gown and receive a college degree. “She’s from a very hard-working family that has really bought into the “American Dream”.  Hermiston HS track coach Jake Puzey said. “Her parents have done everything in their power to support their kids in their educational pursuits.”   Jennifer.s parents, Jose and Lidia, couldn.t go to high school because they had to work to help make ends meet, she said.  “I grew up not really knowing about college,” she said. “I didn’t know until I was in high school, which is pretty late.”   During her time at OSU, she not only participated on the track and cross country teams, earning a spot in the NCAA West Regional cross country meet three consecutive years, but thrived in the classroom and in other off-track activities.   She’s been named an Academic All-Pacific 10 Conference cross country athlete for three years, every year she.s been eligible, and received the same distinction as a track athlete in 2010 and 2009. To be considered for the awards, students have to be in the second year of the program, earn a varsity letter in that program and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better.   She is also the president of OSU.s Student Athletic Advisory Council, or SAAC as it is referred to on college campuses around the nation. The role of the SAAC, Jennifer said, is to act as a liaison between the administration and the athletes in an effort to engage in discussion. The athletes tell the SAAC leaders their thoughts on the athletic department, and perhaps facilitate changes to benefit the student athletes.  They are also a service group of sorts, she said, and organize activities for the on-campus population as well as the Corvallis area.   As far as being involved in campus life while not on the training ground, Macias is used to that. At Hermiston, she was part of a multitude of clubs and organizations while a Bulldog, including Key Club, Student Council, FCCLA and others.   Put that on top her two state track titles during her senior year (2007) in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters, and her sparking 3.9 GPA and infectious charisma and attitude makes her “an amazing person” her high school track coach, Jake Puzey, said.  “She has extremely high expectations for herself,” Puzey said. “Jennifer went the extra mile to make the most of her opportunities.”   How Macias has seized the moment and relished her time at college is something special. She.s a double major in early childhood development and education, with a minor in Spanish. She said her ultimate goal is to become a teacher, perhaps the most selfless of professions, and she wants to help kids have better lives and make something of themselves as they grow up. “With my minor in Spanish, I noticed a lot of people in the Hispanic community don.t have people as their role models,” she said. “I chose the minor not only to help the kids, but also the parents and tell them how to help other kids.”   She said she wouldn’t have this chance if it wasn’t for the scholarship she earned to run for the Beavers.   “Having the scholarship not only gave me the opportunity to run for Oregon State, but also to be the person I want to be,” she said, “Which is to be a teacher and help kids.” Said Macias:  “Without the scholarship, I don’t know where I would be.”

Plenty of Action at the Oregon - Washington Border Duel  

Locals Andrew Wheating, Nick Symmonds’ half-mile kicks never come in Pre 800 Eugene Register-Guard article by Ron Bellamy

Prefontaine Classic: Pro Bernard Lagat gives props for a prep, Lukas Verzbicas Eugene Register-Guard story by Curtis Anderson

Verzbicas breaks high school two-mile record   Chicago Tribune article

Moses Mosop of Kenya broke the World Record on the track at Hayward Field with a time of 1:26.27.4.    The race, 75 laps of the track, saw Moses lap every runner in the field  at least twice.  After the race he donned a "Stop Mosop" T-shirt, which was reminiscent of the old  "Stop Pre" of long ago.     The 10K featuring Chris Solinsky and Galen Rupp, among others, will be run at 8:40PM Pacific time.