Ducks Recover From Fall to Take Second in DMR

Time is third-fastest in the nation this season.

 

        NEW YORK, N.Y. – Oregon recovered from what could have been a disastrous fall in the first 50 meters to finish second in the distance medley relay Friday at the Armory Collegiate Invitational. The Ducks ran a season-best 9:35.06 to finish just behind Stanford, which ran 9:34.20. Arkansas was third in 9:35.50.

        Virginia transfer Brett Johnson led off for the Ducks and crashed hard to the track just 50 meters into the race as the rest of the field sped away from him. Undaunted, Johnson, a junior from Ocean City, N.Y., gathered himself and the baton and proceeded to rally the Ducks back in the race, moving from last to fourth by the time he finished his 1,200 meter leg.

        Mike Berry then ripped through his 400 meter leg to pull the Ducks into a draw for the lead with Stanford at the second exchange. Unofficially, the junior from Seattle split :45 during his two-lap stint.

        Junior Elijah Greer then moved the Ducks in front on the first turn of the 800 meter leg and had the Ducks a step in front at the final exchange. Junior Mac Fleet fell just short of Stanford on the final lap of the 1,600 meter leg but Oregon still turned in its best time of the season.

        Stanford’s and Oregon’s times were the second- and third-fastest in the nation this season, respectively, behind Texas’ 9:31.82.

 

Next TrackTown Tuesday Coming up Feb. 5

 

        TrackTown USA President Vin Lananna will welcome OTC Elite athletes Russell Brown and Julia Lucas to speak at the second TrackTown Tuesday event of 2013 on Feb. 5 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield, beginning at 7 p.m. They will be joined by members of the University of Oregon women’s cross country team, who won the 2012 NCAA Cross Country Championship this past November.

 

Season Ticket Deadline Approaches

 

        The renewal deadline for 2013 track and field season tickets is Friday. Fans who renew season tickets by midnight tonight will have the first option to purchase tickets for both the NCAA Championships and the Prefontaine Classic.

        New Duck season tickets, as well as all-session four-day passes for the June 5-8 NCAA Championships, will go on sale Feb. 15.

        Single meet sales for the Ducks’ regular season meets and the Prefontaine Classic begin Feb. 22.

        To renew or purchase Oregon track and field tickets, go online to goducks.com/tracktickets, call 1-800-WEBFOOT or visit the ticket offices located in either the Moshofsky Center or Matthew Knight Arena.