Ashton Eaton - TrackTown USA | Host for the 2012 Olympic Trials

Posts tagged Ashton Eaton

Monday Matters | Follow Your Favorite Athletes

The U.S. Olympic Trials – Track and Field take a lot of work and preparation for many individuals. As a Local Organizing Committee, we have been working hard for years to make TrackTown12 the Best Meet Ever. The athletes have also been putting in a lot of time, sweat and effort to get themselves ready. For some athletes that means working hard to get a qualifying mark and for those who already have it, it is making sure they are ready, come June 21-July 1, to perform at their best. We want TrackTown12.com to be the website you come to get all your Olympic Trials information, including information about your favorite athletes who will be Eugene this summer.

One way to do this is to check out Oregon Track Club Elite Steeplechaser, Bridget Franek’s weekly blog, ‘Preparing for the Best’ , where she has some some Q&A with athletes who will be coming to Eugene for the Trials.

Recently added to our website is a section giving you the links to your favorite athletes blog, website and social media accounts. Here you can find athletes such as Tyson Gay, Sanya Richards-Ross, Lopez Lomong, Lauren Fleshman, Reese Hoffa, Aretha Thurmond and many more. Head to Athlete Websites for the whole list and sort by event, name, location or club/sponsor.

For a different kind of preparation, be sure to check out the Andrew Wheating and Russell Brown collaboration Behind the Stands to see what two local TrackTown USA athletes do with their spare time.

TrackTown Tuesday

Come out to our next TrackTown Tuesday tomorrow from 7pm-8pm at the Oregon Electric Station. Sponsored by Deschutes Brewery, Dutch Bros. Coffee, Mercedes Benz/Eugene, Dari Mart stores and Lochmead Dairy. “TrackTown Tuesday” is free and open to the public. Come hear from Ashton Eaton and six-time NCAA champion Brianne Theisen, as will 2008 Olympian Andrew Wheating and the Ducks’ Dakotah Keys and Trevor Dunbar. Click here for More Information.

By Nathan on April 30, 2012
This entry is filed under Monday Matters and tagged Andrew Wheating, Aretha Thurmond, Ashton Eaton, Brianne Theisen, Bridget Franek, Lauren Fleshman, Lopez Lomong, Reese Hoffa, Russell Brown, Sanya Richards-Ross, TrackTown12, Tyson Gay, U.S. Olympic Trials-Track and Field.

Monday Matters | The Indoor Season doesn’t end quietly

Courtesy: GoDucks.com

The 2012 indoor season came to a close this past weekend but it did not go out quietly. Whether it in Nampa, Idaho or Istanbul, Turkey athletes put together some incredible performances that will be remembered for years to come. Coming back to TrackTown USA is one world champion, one world record, two NCAA individual champions, and one NCAA team title.

Oregon Track Club Elite’s Ashton Eaton put two stellar days together while at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul to capture the Heptathlon title and break his own world record. Helped by personal bests in the long jump and shot put, Eaton now owns the top three performances ever in the event (6645 in 2012, 6568 in 2011, and 6499 in 2010). Watch Universal Sports highlights of his performance.

Fellow OTC athlete, Jesse Williams cleared the second best height of the high jump competition — 3.31 meters / 7-feet, 7-inches — but due to misses finished in sixth place. Team USA collectively came away from meet with a team record of 10 gold medals, three silvers and five bronzes — for a team record of 18 total medals at an indoor championship.

Click for the Recap from USATF | Full Results

More Highlight Videos from World Indoors

A little closer to home, the 2012 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships ended in familiar fashion with the University of Oregon Women bringing home their third consecutive title. Victories came from Brianne Theisen and English Gardner, while the rest put together a solid all-around team performance. This was Theisen’s third national title in the pentathlon. She won with 4,536 points, just 19 off her NCAA and Canadian record in that event.

Gardner gave Oregon a quick, but decisive spark in the 60m dash. Her time of 7.12 seconds was a school and stadium record, beat her personal best by .05 seconds, and would’ve placed fourth in Istanbul. Not bad for a sophomore.

Oregon finished with 49 points, followed by Kansas with 30 points, LSU with 27 and Texas with 25.

On the men’s side, Mike Berry broke the school record in the 400 meters, finishing fourth overall in a school-record 45.93. The sophomore from Seattle, Wash., broke Sammie Parker’s school record of 45.95 set in 2005. The men’s team title was won by Florida, followed by Arkansas, Arizona and Arizona St.

Along with the Oregon Women, the Florida men were able to capture their third consecutive title. | Full Meet Results

You can watch Day 1 and 2 in their entirety of the NCAA Indoor Championships streaming on ESPN3.com

Let the Outdoor Season Begin

Those two memorable meets concluded the 2012 indoor season and without much ado (or time) at all, the outdoor season will begin … this Sunday in fact, when TrackTown USA hosts the Oregon Preview at Hayward Field. And tomorrow the countdown to TrackTown12 strikes 100 days to go. It is quickly approaching so be sure to get your All-Session Tickets Now.

Single Day Tickets go on sale April 6.

By Nathan on March 12, 2012
This entry is filed under Monday Matters and tagged Ashton Eaton, Iaaf World Indoor Championship, Jesse Williams, NCAA track & field, Oregon Track Club, University of Florida.

Monday Matters | The Athlete Experience hits the Road

As mentioned in last Thursday’s Blog, “Getting Closer to TrackTown12 – 120 days to go“, the athlete experience is a very important aspect to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials – Track and Field. It is when our country’s national team is selected to compete against the world at the Olympics, and even if there weren’t any fans or a festival, the athletes would still be vying for a spot on Team USA. That is why the TrackTown12 LOC, USATF and the USOC treat the athlete experience with great detail. From the moment the athlete enters the meet until they are departing from Eugene, we want to make sure they have as few worries as possible (outside of making it to London).

In order to ease their Trials’ preparation process, reps from TrackTown12 traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the 2012 USA Indoor Championships this past weekend to answer questions and take photos, which will be used for credentials.

Many athletes came with questions regarding tickets, the schedule, housing and Hammer Time. They were also pleasantly surprised to get their photos out of the way, though some elected to return later, after they’d cleaned up and done their hair. In all, close to 300 athletes, coaches and agents got their credential photos out of the way and will not have to worry about that come their arrival into TrackTown USA.

There also happened to be some awesome performances on the track during the two days of competition inside the Albuquerque Convention Center. Saturday’s highlights included a third straight indoor title by Oregon Track Club Elite’s Jesse Williams. Although it took a couple third-attempt clearances, Williams was able to in solidify his ticket to the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey with a mark of 2.29 meters (7-5). Watch his 2.29m jump here.

OTC Elite’s Ashton Eaton also competed Saturday in the qualifying rounds of the 60-meter hurdles and on Sunday in the long jump. Though he qualified to move on in the hurdles after the first round, Eaton selected to only long jump on Sunday, which proved to be a good choice. On his third jump, Eaton soared to a lifetime best and winning mark of 8.06 meters (26-5 1/2), beating out Will Claye (8.02m, 26-3 3/4).

Watch more videos on Flotrack

Click to watch other highlights.

Bernard Lagat was able to use his kick to win the men’s 3000m – 7:4.54.

Sanya Richards-Ross broke a meet record in the women’s 400m – 50.71.

Leo Manzano kicked past Matthew Centrowitz and Galen Rupp to claim the men’s 1500m – 3:48.05.

Jennifer Simpson won the women’s 1500m after holding off Brenda Martinez. – 4:15.04.

Chaunte Lowe broke the American Indoor record in the women’s high jump. – 2.02m.

By Nathan on February 27, 2012
This entry is filed under 2012 Olympic Trials, Monday Matters and tagged Ashton Eaton, Bernard Legat, Brenda Martinez, Chaunte Lowe, Galen Rupp, Jennifer Simpson, Jesse Williams, Leonel Manzano, Matt Centrowitz, Sanya Richards-Ross, US Olympic Trials - Track and Field, USA Indoor Championships, USATF, USOC.

Getting Closer to TrackTown12 – 120 days to go

Everyone who attended the Olympic Trials in 2008 seemed to have a different ‘favorite moment’, whether it was the Oregon sweep in the 800, the showdown in the last few laps of the 10K, or the falling records in the sprints. Or maybe it was participating in the All-Comers Meet, or watching the fireworks on the Fourth of July.

You can be rest assured that the athletes and races this coming summer will bring all the same excitement and passion, but “The Best Meet Ever?” While it may seem like a bold claim, it was precisely the one set forth by the TrackTown12 Local Organizing Committee at a planning event on Wednesday, February 22 in Eugene.

Representatives from the US Olympic Committee as well as USA Track & Field were in attendance to provide insight, suggestions, and encouragement. Oregon Track Club Elite athletes Cyrus Hostetler, Lauren Fleshman, and Bridget Franek were also there to give their valuable perspectives as competitors. While this particular meeting was focused on the athlete and media experiences at the Trials, the excitement it sparked could be carried over to spectators and proved that there are some great plans in store for everyone involved!

So while we are preparing for the biggest track event on U.S. soil this year, we would like to know…..”What are YOU most excited about as you prepare for the Olympic Trials?

In the next few weeks we will be interviewing all kinds of people involved in every aspect of the meet to find out what they are looking forward to most: athletes from out of town, college athletes, community runners, coaches, officials, and fans. With so much in store, we are pretty certain everyone will be getting excited for completely different aspects of TrackTown12!

To preview the possibilities, we will also be talking to the committee leader in charge of each area of TrackTown12 for the most up-to-date developments in preparation and even some insider information.

In the upcoming months, follow the stories and let people tell you about their favorite parts of the upcoming meet. What will YOUR new ‘favorite moment’ of 2012 be? We can’t wait to find out!

This coming week is the USA Indoor National Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Be sure to catch all the action including Oregon Athletes Aston Eaton, Galen Rupp, Matthew Centrowitz, Russell Brown, Lopez Lomong, Jesse Williams, Lindsey Allen, Jackie Areson, and many others!

By bridget on February 23, 2012
This entry is filed under Uncategorized and tagged Ashton Eaton, Bridget Franek, Cyrus Hosteteler, Galen Rupp, Geena Gall, Jackie Areson, Jesse Williams, Lauren Fleshman, Lindsey Allen, Lopez Lomong, Matthew Centrowitz, Russell Brown.

Monday Matters: Personal Records and Outstanding Openers

Indoor tracks might still be smoking after a weekend of personal records and big 2012 openers! Oregon athletes were scattered across the country this weekend and many returned to the state with great results to launch them into the Olympic year!

Oregon coach Vin Lananna’s quote from the Texas A&M Challenge Meet in College Station summed up the two-day meet for the Ducks: “Almost everyone who traveled hit a PR or did what they set out to accomplish this weekend.”

Highlights on the women’s side included a 1-2 punch in the mile with Jordan Hasay and Becca Friday, a top time in the 60 hurdles by Amber Purvis, and a Canadian National and NCAA record in the pentathlon by Brianne Theisen. Go to GoDucks.com for full recap and results.

OTC Elite decathlete Ashton Eaton joined that successful contingent of Oregon athletes in Texas, winning both the Olympic Development 60-meter hurdles (in a personal-best time of 7.73 seconds) as well as the long jump in another PB of 26 feet, 4 1/2 inches.

Photo taken by Jason Szenes for The New York Times

Farther east, the 2012 Visa Championship Series began in Madison Square Garden at the US Open. Local athlete Jesse Williams opened his campaign seven centimeters higher than he did last year to capture the high jump title (with a mark of 7-6). While keeping a good perspective on the year ahead, he used this meet to work some kinks out of a slightly new jumping technique.

“I guarantee you, in the next couple, I’m going to go a lot higher,” he said in the New York Times. Click here for a more complete recap.

A little closer to home, many Oregon professionals traveled to Seattle for the UW Invitational. Lining up alongside many Portland and Portland State collegians for the 5K on Friday night, OTC Elite/Portland runner Lisa Uhl crossed the line first in a time of 15:29.85. The next day, Uhl’s teammates Andrew Bumbalough and Matt Tegenkamp went 1-2 in the men’s mile, while Eugene-based Geena Gall kicked for a women’s win at the same distance.

Former OTC athlete Mark Wieczorek won the men’s 800 in a time of 1:48.51 while 2011 world silver medalist at the 10K Sally Kipeygo breezed to a win and a venue record in the 3k in 8:47.91. For complete results visit UW Invitational Results.

What a great start to the year! It’s already getting us excited about the U.S. Olympic Trials.

By bridget on January 30, 2012
This entry is filed under Monday Matters and tagged Amber Purvis, Andrew Bumbalough, Ashton Eaton, Becca Friday, Brianne Theisen, Geena Gall, Jesse Williams, Jordan Hasay, Lisa Uhl, Mark Wieczorek, Matt Tegenkamp, Sally Kipeygo, Vin Lananna.

TrackTown Thursday | 12 Days of TrackTown

On the 12^th Day of TrackTown, My True Love Gave to Me:

12 Olympic Medals – (Well actually 13) By 10 former Oregon Track and Field Athletes. Watch the video of Joaquim Cruz’s gold medal 800-meter race in the 1984 Olympics.

11 NCAA Championships – Hosted at Hayward Field (’62, ’64, ’72, ’78, ’84, ’88, ’91, ’96, 2001, 2010 & scheduled to host in 2013).

10 Dec Events – 2012 will be the 100^th year of the modern decathlon. The two-day contest will also kick-off the Olympic Trials.

9 Days of Running…………and Jumping……….and Throwing at TrackTown12. Starting with Hammer time on June 21^st and ending July 1 with the Men’s 200m Final.

8 Lanes on the Track.

7 -9 and 1/4 – Oregon Track Club Elite Athlete Jesse Williams’ Personal Best and Hayward Field Record. Set at the 2011 USA Championships in TrackTown.

6 Outdoor Titles - The UO Men have five and the UO Women have one. Also, the men have one indoor and six cross country titles, while the women have two of each.

5 OLYMPIC RINGS – And the number of Olympic Trials hosted in TrackTown (1972, 1976, 1980, 2008, 2012).

Sub 4 Minute Miles – The Pre Classic has seen more Sub 4 minute Miles than any other American invitational track meet. Click Here to see the full list.

3 Coach Bills (Hayward, Bowerman, Dellinger).

2 Bowerman Winners (Galen Rupp ’09 & Ashton Eaton ’10).

And a Historic Hayward Field.

Happy Holidays from TrackTown USA. See you in 2012!

By Nathan on December 22, 2011
This entry is filed under 2012 Olympic Trials, Athlete Profiles, NCAA Championships, News, Team USA, TrackTown Thursday, U.S. National Championships and tagged Ashton Eaton, Bill Bowerman, Bill Dellinger, Bill Hayward, Galen Rupp, Hayward Field, Jesse Williams, Joaquim Cruz, NCAA track & field, Olympic Trials, OTC Elite, Prefontaine Classic, TrackTown USA, TrackTown12.

TrackTown Thursday – 10 Things to Be Thankful For in TrackTown USA

As we embark on the final seven months until the U.S. Olympic Trials begin here in Eugene — and with the Thanksgiving holiday upon us — we thought it was a perfect day to dedicate the TrackTown Thursday blog to what we’re most thankful for here in TrackTown:

1. The Trails – From Pre’s Trail to the Ridgeline and beyond (the city limits that is), there are just too many great running trails in TrackTown to count – which is why we’ll let this link give you all the great details.

2. Hayward Field – It is hallowed ground in the sport of track and field. Just one meet at Hayward has converted many a non-believer into a die-hard track and field fan. Here’s a little glimpse at some recent “good times” at Hayward.

3. The University of Oregon Track and Field Team – What can we say, in TrackTown USA, we love our Ducks!

4. Record-Breakers – From the legendary Prefontaine, to those who came before him, and those who have come since — at events like the annual Prefontaine Classic — record-breakers tend to be as prolific as the rain here in TrackTown USA.

5. The Oregon Track Club – Attend a week-night run, compete in one of the OTC’s summertime All-Comers meets, run the Butte to Butte, or volunteer to work at a Hayward Field meet, and you’ll see just how valuable the OTC is to TrackTown USA.

6. OTC Elite – This group of elite athletes deserves its own number. Eight of them competed at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu. Five were finalists, two were silver medalists (Sally Kipyego and Ashton Eaton), and one (the high-flying Jesse Williams) brought home gold.

7. The Starting Block – This is a fun and popular interactive Kids Zone at Hayward Field, which gives kids of all ages an opportunity to high jump, long jump, shot put, etc. Building track athletes (or fans), one kid at a time.

8. Future Events – Speaking of kids, in July of 2014, the world’s best junior athletes (under 20) will arrive in TrackTown for the IAAF World Junior Championships, bringing an IAAF event to the U.S. for the first time since 1992.

9. Team USA Athletes – Without them, and all the hard work they put into becoming the best in the world, Hayward Field would be a ghost town every June. Get to know Andrew Wheating, Angelo Taylor, Ashton Eaton and Allyson Felix in our TrackTown Spotlight video series.

10. The Olympic Trials – The biggest team trials in the world will take place at Hayward Field, June 22-July 1. It sold out in 2008 and it’s on its way to doing so in 2012! And what better holiday gift to buy that track fan in your life than a pair of tickets to the Trials.

Happy Thanksgiving from TrackTown USA! We hope to see you here in June!

By Becky on November 23, 2011
This entry is filed under 2012 Olympic Trials, Athlete Profiles, Butte to Butte, future of track & field, IAAF World Championships, News, Prefontaine Classic, Team USA, TrackTown Spotlight, TrackTown Thursday and tagged Allyson Felix, Andrew Wheating, Angelo Taylor, Ashton Eaton, IAAF, Jesse Williams, Olympic Trials, Oregon Track Club, Prefontaine Classic, Sally Kipyego, Team USA, TrackTown USA, TrackTown12.

TrackTown Thursday: Looking Forward to 2012

With 2011 quickly coming to an end, excitement for the 2012 track and field season is starting build.

The 2012 USA Track and Field Visa Championship Series will kick off on January 28th at the newly transformed Madison Square Garden in New York City for the US Open Track and Field. This will be the first track and field meet inside the MSG since the completion of the first phase of the transformation and renovation of the building.

“The U.S. Open will provide the fast-paced, exciting meet expected at every MSG event,” USATF Interim CEO Mike McNees said. “This will be a tightly scheduled meet featuring the ‘best of the best’ from past Garden meets while providing a fitting kick-off to the 2012 Olympic year. We are excited about our partnership with The Garden and are especially glad that everyone from kids to families to VIPs will be able to access the meet.”

Among the many athletes that will begin their road to London at the Garden, one of TrackTown USA’s favorites, Bernard Lagat, will headline the men’s mile.

Click Here to read the press release from USATF.ORG

Also today, the IAAF announced the distribution of events for all 14 meetings on the Samsung Diamond League circuit. The series will begin in Doha, Qatar on May 11 and will have nine meetings before the London Games. There will be five more meetings after the Olympics, finishing up in Brussels, Belgium on September 7.

Click Here to read the press release from the IAAF.ORG and for the complete distribution of events for each meeting Click Here.

And finally, Oregon Track Club Elite athletes, Ashton Eaton and Jesse Williams, got to take a break from training to fly to Hollywood for a promotional shoot with NBC Sports and the United States Olympic Committee, as they get ready up for the upcoming Olympic Year.

The other track and field athletes that got in front of the the camera were Bryan Clay, Trey Hardee, Jill Camarena-Williams, Dwight Phillips, David Oliver, Lashinda Demus, Dawn Harper, Bershawn Jackson, Carmelita Jeter, Lolo Jones, LaShawn Merritt, Brittney Reese, Jason Richardson, Christian Taylor, Kellie Wells and Allyson Felix.

Jesse Williams set for the Road to London (Photo courtesy of Jesse Williams)

Get to know Ashton and Allyson in our TrackTown Spotlight video series.

Click Here for the 2012 Olympic Trials Schedule

Click to Buy your 2012 Olympic Trials Tickets

By Nathan on November 17, 2011
This entry is filed under TrackTown Thursday and tagged Ashton Eaton, Diamond League, Jesse Williams, NBC Sports, USATF, USOC.

TrackTown Spotlight:

TrackTown Spotlight Featuring Ashton Eaton

Ashton Eaton: 2011 US Decathlon Champion and 2011 World Championships Decathlon Silver Medalist.

What’s the greenest thing Ashton does? Who’s his mentor? His track & field hero? Watch Ashton ‘off the track’ and find out!

By Rita on September 8, 2011
This entry is filed under Athlete Profiles, Team USA, TrackTown Spotlight and tagged Ashton Eaton.

TrackTown Thursday

OTC Elite’s Jesse Williams Wins A Gold Medal in the High Jump!

What a day in Daegu! Jesse Williams jumps 2.35 meters (7′-8.5″) with fewer misses to edge out Aleksey Dmitrik of Russia for the win. Two other Americans also won gold: Jennifer Barringer-Simpson came from behind to win the 1,500 meters in 4:05:40 and LaShinda Demus grabs gold with her 400-meter hurdle time of 52.47.

Williams’ performance is the first men’s high jump title since Charles Austin won gold at the 1991 worlds in Tokyo, on the same exact day: September 1. Barringer-Simpson’s victory is the first for an American woman in the 1,500 meters since Mary Decker-Slaney thrilled the crowd with her win in 1983. Demus’ time is a new American record — as well as the fastest run in the world this year and the third fastest time ever (only .13 off the WR)!

And great performances from a couple of University of Oregon athletes in the qualifying heats: Matthew Centrowitz won his semi-final to breeze into the 1,500 final, and Mike Berry was part of the Team USA 4×400 relay team that won its heat to advance to the final – in a world-leading time of 2:58.82 (Berry’s ran a blazing 43.83 for his relay leg !)

Other Americans did well today too — Bernard Lagat won his heat in 13:33:90 to qualify for the final in the men’s 5000 meters. Galen Rupp also qualified with a 5th place finish in the heat. Carmelita Jeter, Allyson Felix and Shalonda Solomon all qualified to move to the next round in the 200 meters. All four American shot putters (Reese Hoffa, Christian Cantwell, Adam Nelson and Ryan Whiting) qualified to move on to the final round, and Brigetta Barrett will move on to the finals in the women’s high jump. Dwight Phillips and Will Claye both qualified in the long jump and all three Team USA women will run in the next round of the 800 meters (Maggie Vessey, Alysia Johnson Montano, Alice Schmidt.)

Overall, it was a day that reminded longtime track writer Philip Hersh of the “good old times” of USA track and field.

By Rita on September 1, 2011
This entry is filed under Athlete Profiles, IAAF World Championships, News and tagged Ashton Eaton, IAAF World Championships, Jesse Williams, Lauren Fleshman.

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