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“Preparing for the Best” with Brigetta Barrett

Courtesy of USATF.org

Singer, Song-writer, Actress, Blogger, and finally, WORLD CLASS HIGH JUMPER!  Unlike many other competitors vying for a spot on this year’s U.S. Olympic Team, Brigetta Barrett will be approaching the Trials with a perspective beyond the high jump mat.  Many of her teammates from last summer’s World Championships in Daegu remember her more because of her stunning performance at athlete skit night than her spectacular 10th place finish at the meet.  With a summer like this, it was easy to forget that she would be coming home to finish a Theater Arts degree and another collegiate season at the University of Arizona (you may have seen her valiant attempt at the Collegiate Record two weeks ago at the PAC-12 Championships).

This year, while continuing with all these demands on her time, she has also managed to start up a blog about her fellow athletes. Their camaraderie and friendship are what fuel her and keep her excited about discovering her own potential.  You will quickly find that the answers she gave for the questions we have been asking many of the other athletes are quite different- a testament to her unique and special approach to the sport.

What is your best track memory from past meets at Hayward Field and Eugene?

My best memory from past meets at Hayward Field was not necessarily competition related. It was the time I sang the national anthem for our PAC -12 conference meet. After I finished singing I went into the stands to watch the rest of the meet because I was not competing on that day. As I stepped into the stadium everyone in the stands stood up and gave me the most heartfelt round of applause I have ever received. It meant so much to me because I know that Hayward track fans are huge fans of the sport. But I had not competed yet and they gave me so much love just for singing. My second best memory was when I became a U.S. National Champion for the first time in my life. It was my biggest platform of my life at the time and to receive that much love even though I was not a Oregon Duck was unbelievable.

Did you come to the Trials in 2008?

I did not come to the trials in 2008. I was a junior in high school and although I qualified to jump at the Trials I did not go. I strained my neck and felt it was smarter to rest than to possibly hurt myself more. So I rested and remained determined that I would go to the Trials four years later, fully prepared to make the team.

After doing so well here in 2011, how will this year be different?

The only difference that I hope this year will bring is an even greater performance than last year. This year I will be defending the national championship and I know that many girls have been training with the intent of trying to take it away from me. But I know that God has a plan for my life and for my sport. So this year I will be jumping on faith and believing in the talent and abilities that I know God has given me. It is not about me this year; it is about everyone that has been supporting me, all of the people that look to me and my life for inspiration, and it is for the chance to wear that USA uniform at the Olympic Games.

Aside from your competition, what are you looking forward to most about the Trials this summer?

I have started a blog (born2bgr8.tumblr.com) where I interview other track athletes about their sport and their outlook on life because of their sport. So at the Trials I will have a lot of chances to speak with my fellow friends and track athletes and get a lot of material for my blog.

Will you be coming to the meet this summer with your college team?

Yes. We have a lot of athletes who have a great chance to make this year’s Olympic team. I am honored to have such inspiring and talented teammates. They push me to be better.

Are you planning on getting here early or staying after your event?

I know that we will be getting there early but I am unsure of how long we will be staying afterwards.

Do you have anything specific you like to do when you come to Eugene for meets (favorite restaurants/bars, etc you always eat at, places you like to stay, the Saturday Market…..etc??)

I like to experience the restaurants that are close to the track. There is also this ice cream place that makes their own ice cream. I would like to give it a try. But I really look forward to being reunited with my fellow track athletes, who I would not get the chance to see if it weren’t for Olympic Trials. They also inspire me and track athletes are so nice and down to earth — I just like being around people that share the same passion that I have.

Want to know more about bubbly Brigetta (better known as Bebe), show her your support by checking out some of these other websites and CHEER HER ON!

ASU Profile: Brigetta Barrett

USATF Profile: Brigetta Barrett

Twitter: @bebe3114

Blog: http://born2bgr8.tumblr.com/

 

Courtesy of bleacherreport.com

By bridget on May 24, 2012
This entry is filed under 2012 Olympic Trials, Athlete Profiles, Preparing for the Best and tagged , , , , .

“Preparing for the Best” with Jordan Scott

Picture Courtesy of KU Athletics

As if watching pole vault is not entertaining enough, Jordan Scott has been making it even more interesting the past few years by adding a unique and individual flare…..hair designs! Extravagant color and style pulled him out of a small personal slump, helping him bring home a NCAA title his senior year for Kansas University, and he has been nurturing his creative side ever since! (Source: statesman.com) His personal record for the pole vault is 18 feet, 8 3/4 inches, which was set in 2010. The 2012 season has been healthy and productive so far, and Jordan is ready for more. His hair is a way to keep things light and remember how much fun he is having doing what he loves.

Check out some of his recent favorites on his website (here). But better yet, come out to the Trials and watch him compete in the Men’s Pole Vault Prelims on June 25th at 5:30, and in the Finals on June 28th at 5:05 (complete Trials Schedule here). Not only will the competition be tight, but you can rest assure that at the Best Meet Ever, Jordan just might have the Best Hair Ever!

Courtesy of jscottpolevault.com!

What is your best track memory from past meets at Hayward Field and Eugene?
I would have to say my best track memory from Hayward Field was when I won the NCAA Championships in 2010, but also qualifying for the finals in the 2008 Olympic Trials was pretty memorable as well! I’ve had several unbelievable experiences at Hayward Field. It’s easily one of my favorite places to compete!

Was this your highest finish here?
Again, I think my 2010 NCAA Championship was my highest finish at Hayward Field. Even though the weather didn’t cooperate, just being in that stadium, with its unbelievable fans, and family in the stands, it is one of my best memories ever to win that challenging meet.

What most impressed you about the Trials in 2008?
The professionalism and “high-class” feel that Hayward Field offered during that event was unmatched. The security was phenomenal, the fans were incredible, and the energy was indescribable.

Are there any changes from previous meets at Hayward that you hope to see for the Trials?
I can’t think of anything I would change about any experience I’ve ever had at a Hayward Field competition. They really know how to run a meet!

As an athlete, what do you foresee to be the biggest hassle/challenge in your experience in Eugene this summer?
Parking is the only hassle around Hayward Field. It is always a challenge to park remotely close to the facility.

Aside from your competition, what are you looking forward to most about the Trials this summer?
The vibe of positive energy I always get in Eugene. The city has so many great track and field fans and I’m always excited to get to compete there.

Are you planning on getting here early or staying after your event?
Yes, I will be arriving several days before my qualifying and staying a few days after the final round in hopes that I have a lot of Team Sign-up and paperwork to do!

Do you have anything specific you like to do when you come to Eugene for meets?
I love using the public bus transportation system to get around. You just can’t beat it! I can get wherever I want to get in a timely manner for only a couple bucks. I usually check out the mall and see a movie while I’m there.

Have you heard anything about the London Pub, the SuperBlock exhibits/vendors, the live performances, etc being planned for the meet?
I haven’t heard of any special events going on at the Trials this year yet, but if it’s anything like 2008, a good time is on its way!

Get to know Jordan better and follow him through to the Trials…..

Twitter: @jscottpolevault

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jscottpolevault

Personal Website: http://www.jscottpolevault.com/

Blog: http://www.jscottpolevault.com/blog/

Picture courtesy of KU Athletics

By bridget on May 10, 2012
This entry is filed under Preparing for the Best and tagged , , , .

‘Behind the Scenes (Mic)’ with the Voice of Hayward Field, Paul Swangard.

In order to create the Best Time Ever at TrackTown12, a lot of time and coordination is being spent on the run of show for each day inside Hayward Field.  Everything besides the results is carefully planned, including, among many things, the opening ceremonies, award ceremonies, and TrackVision video content. One other key elements for the run of show during the U.S. Olympic Trials  – Track and Field lies with the individuals behind the public address microphone.  Luckily for TrackTown USA, we have one of the best around. Paul Swangard, a long-time track and field announcer at Hayward Field, has a growing reputation as one of the premiere announcers in the sport, and for the first time will be one of the lead announcers for the Olympic Trials during TrackTown12.

Photo from Lundquist College of Business

 

Swangard grew up in Eugene as a track and field fan. He attended South Eugene High and holds both his Bachelors and MBA degrees from the University of Oregon.  When Swangard isn’t behind the mic, he is serving as the the Managing Director of the James H. Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at University of Oregon’s Lundquist College of Business.  We recently caught up with Paul to give us some ‘behind the mic’ insights as he prepares for the Olympic Trials.

A little Swangard History…When was your first Hayward experience and when was your first time behind the mic?
PS: I was born in Eugene in the late 60s and grew up a track fan in TrackTown USA. My parents viewed spring meets at Oregon like a daycare center. We’d be dropped off before the first event and spend the entire day at Hayward Field. I still have a shoebox of autographs from the 1980 Trials and a lot of great childhood memories. After some success sprinting at South Eugene, I was lucky enough to be asked to walk on at Oregon in the mid 80’s but lasted only a season. Later, I transitioned into a career in sports broadcasting and was asked to audition for the Hayward PA job in the early 90’s after Wendy Ray stepped down. It’s hard to believe I’m approaching 20 years in the role but it’s been a great run so far!

What is the Hayward Field experience like from the booth?
PS: It’s controlled chaos in the booth. I’ve always said it is like being a ring master at a circus doing our best to keep the crowd in tune with what is going on and providing perspective on how well the athletes are performing. The sight-lines are good though the television platforms can make announcing the jumps a bit of a challenge. What is great about being in the booth is we are all fans of the sport and are all focused on delivering a great experience for the fans and for the athletes regardless of affiliation.

Looking back to Eugene08, in your opinion, what made it so special?
PS: I think Eugene08 was both a great track and field meet and a great event. That was the difference as the organizers sought to elevate the Trials into a broader entertainment experience. People came to be a part of it with or without a ticket. I think they’ll elevate it again in 2012.

You have announced meets all over the country, how do the other experiences and venues compare to Hayward Field?
PS: Each venue has its own distinct personality.  I’m biased to Eugene only because its home and the spectators always seem to be the most educated and understand the role they play in supporting the athletes. The magic of Hayward Field is as much the fans as it is the venue. Still, I’ve enjoyed the chance to announce in other venues and look forward to doing more in the future.

Do you prepare for the Trials differently than any other meet you announce?
PS: I’ll be teaming up with Garry Hill (editor of Track and Field News) to announce the Trials. We’ve now worked several meets together (Pre, USATF Championships, Pac-12 Championships) so I think we have a good chemistry. With two “voices” it allows us to do a lot more homework and we’ll be able to give each event full coverage. In some meets there is almost too much going on to keep track of, but at the Trials all of the athletes deserve to be on stage.

What are you most excited about this year during TrackTown12?
PS: This is actually my first Trials as one of the lead announcers. In 2008, the late Scott Davis (longtime Pre Classic and Mt. Sac Relays announcer) and Garry Hill shared the microphone. I did the opening ceremonies, some interviews on the Festival stage and the hammer events outside the stadium. Turned out I was announcing the men’s hammer at the same time as that legendary Men’s 800m finish. Never heard Hayward Field louder but didn’t actually see the race! This time I get the best of both worlds. I will be in Portland to announce Hammer Time at the Nike campus and then join Garry in calling all the events in the venue. I’m just excited to be able to have a role in staging a great event and being one ingredient to the atmosphere of TrackTown USA.

You may have seen this video before, this time close your eyes and listen to the passion and excitement from Paul Swangard!

By Nathan on May 7, 2012
This entry is filed under 2012 Olympic Trials, Behind The Scenes and tagged , , , , .

TrackTown Thursday | 12 Days of TrackTown

On the 12th 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 100th 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 21st 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

TrackTown Thursday News

USA Outdoor Championships begin next Thursday

One week from today, TrackTown USA will welcome the 2011 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the 2011 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships to Historic Hayward Field.

So — who’s going to be in TrackTown to compete?  Well, the full list of entries can be found on the USATF website, but here are a few highlights (we’ll focus on the women this week — on Monday we’ll start a rundown of  qualifiers in the men’s events.)

In the sprints:

100 meters

Carmelita Jeter, Marshevet Myers, and LaShaunte’a Moore  have the fastest qualifying times in the Women’s 100 meters.  But UO favorites English Gardner (who is only a freshman and may choose to compete in the US Junior’s competition) and Amber Purvis have also met the “A” qualifying standard of  11.42.  Allyson Felix has also qualified.

200 meters

In the 200 meters, Allyson has also qualified with a leading mark of 22.03 – well below the “A” standard of 23.25.  Other qualifiers include Kimberlyn Duncan, Jeneba Tarmoh ofTexas A&M, Consuella Moore and crowd favorite Sayna Richards-Ross.

400 meters

In the Women’s 400 meter race, twenty five women have dipped below the qualifying mark of 52.50.  Qualifiers are Allyson Felix (again – it is not yet clear which race(s) she will compete in), Francena McCorory, Jessica Beard and Debbie Dunn.  Sanya Richards-Ross also has qualified for this distance.

Middle Distances:

800 meters

In the Women’s 800 meters, the qualifying mark of 2:05:00 has been been met  by Alysia Johnson, Phoebe Wright, and Maggie Vessey with the top three qualifying times.  OTC Elite’s Geena Gall and UO’s Laura Roesler have also qualified.

1500 meters

Top qualifiers Christin Wurth and Erin Donohue will race against other 1500 meter qualifiers such as Morgan Uceny and Anna Pierce .  UO favorite Jordan Hasay has also met the qualifying mark of 4:15:50.

Distance Races

5,000 meters

Molly Huddle  mark of 14:44.76 is the fastest qualifier, but Nike/ Oregon Track Club Elite runners Shalane Flanagan, Lisa Koll,  Amy Begley, Kara Goucher and Lauren Fleshman may have somewhat of a hometown advantage in this talent stacked race.

10,000 meters

The question for the 10,000 meter race is always who will run the 10K and who will stick with the 5K – and will anybody try to double?  Those questions are still open, but the following women have qualified in the 10,000 (as well as the 5,000): Shalane Flanagan, Jennifer Rhines, Amy Begley, Desiree Davila and Lisa Koll.  Jennifer Simpson has also met the “A” standard of 33:40:00.

Tomorrow, we will update you on the women’s entries in the hurdles, heptathlon and all field events.

Add this to your calendar:  Next Wednesday, the City of Eugene begins the countdown to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field with a “Year out Event“  Downtown Eugene from 6 – 9 p.m.  Please join us!

 

By Rita on June 16, 2011
This entry is filed under News and tagged , .