(Phil Johnson / TrackTownPhoto.com)
There may not have been a better two days in TrackTown USA than what we just had for the 2012 Pac-12 Championships this past weekend, especially in mid May. During a month that could have just as easily brought 50s and rain, this weekend instead saw lots of sun, 80-degree temperatures, and a nice tailwind for the sprints and jumps. Combine that with the great crowd and amazing performances, and Hayward Field showed why it is like no other track and field venue in the country.
The Men and Women of Oregon proved their dominance in 2012 with a stellar day of finals to capture a history-making sixth and fourth straight titles respectively. The men had to go against the form charts for their victory, highlighted by wins from Elijah Greer (800), Johnathan Cabral (110 hurdles), Sam Crouser (Javelin) and Dakota Keys decathlon victory from last weekend. The rest of their 140 points came from a great depth of athletes who scored in 18 of the 21 events.
The Duck Women made history with 200 1/2 points scored, over 70 points ahead of second place Stanford. UO claimed the 4×100 relay, 100 and 200 (English Gardner), 400 (Phyllis Francis), 800 (Laura Roesler), 1500 (Jordan Hasay), 10k (Alex Kosinski), Triple Jump (Lauryn Newson) and last week’s heptathlon by Brianne Theisen. In the 200 and the 800, not only did Oregon claim the victory, the Ducks’ swept the top 3. In the 200, Gardner led Francis (2nd) and Newson (3rd), while the 800 was won by Roesler, followed by Becca Friday (2nd) and Claudia Francis (3rd). Newson won the Triple Jump in only her second time competing in that event. Combining that with her 100 and 200 finishes, and a leg of the 4×100 relay, Newson was the highest individual scorer of the event with 26.5 points.
Other notable highlights from the weekend were Arizona’s Brigetta Barrett’s victory and near misses at the collegiate record in the High Jump; Stanford’s Chris Derrick gutsy race in the men’s 5k and Arizona State’s Jordan Clarke, who dominated the throws and was the men’s high-point scorer.
Full Results of the 2012 Pac-12 Championships PDF | HTML
Pac-12 Championships Links:
UO Women with their fourth straight title – Register Guard
Duck Men use a never quit mentality to achieve their sixth straight crown – Register Guard
Ducks trampled the form charts and competition to sweep the meet – Oregonian
Photos:
The Oregonian Photo Essay Day 1 | Day 2
The Register Guard Slideshow Day 1 | Day 2
Phil Johnson & TrackTownPhoto.com
Rick Russel Photography Day 1 | Day 2
The Daily Emerald Day 1 | Day 2
Videos:
You can catch Fox Sports Networks coverage of the Pac-12 Championships this week on your local station. Click here for a detailed listing of all the times it will air.
