Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #9 Oregon Men
Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #9 Oregon Men
UPDATE: According to TFFRS.org Georgetown steepler Ryan Gil has transferred to Oregon. Gil has a 8:42 steeplechase PB and was 140th at NCAA XC last year. He should be a formidable top seven man for the Ducks.
Probable Top Five:
JR Edward Cheserek (3:36 1500; 7:47 3K; 13:18 5K; 1st NCAA XC ’13 & ’14)
JR Jake Leingang (7:53 3K; 13:46 5K; 149th NCAA XC ’13)
FR Matthew Maton (3:59 Mile; 9:03 2 Mile; 3rd FL '13; 19th FL '14; 1st USATF Jr 5K '15)
SR Jeramy Elkaim (3:59 Mile; 7:48 3K; 13:39 5K; 159th NCAA XC ’12)
SR Matthew Melancon (14:09 5K; 29:10 10K; 181st NCAA XC ’14)
Impact Freshmen/Transfers:
Matthew Maton via Bend, OR (3:59 Mile; 9:03 2 Mile; 3rd FL '13; 19th FL '14; 1st USATF Jr 5K '15)
Tanner Anderson via Spokane, WA (4:09 Mile; 8:56 3200; 1st NXN ’14)
Analysis:
Oregon has the two-time defending NCAA XC Champion in Edward Cheserek.
Oregon has two of the best incoming freshmen in Matthew Maton and Tanner Anderson.
Oregon has two of the top 3K/5K runners in Jake Leingang and Jeramy Elkaim.
Oregon has two of the top young mid-distance runners in Blake Haney and Sam Prakel.
So why is a team with all this talent ranked 9th?
ANSWER: NCAA XC Championship success.
On paper the Oregon Ducks led by coach Andy Powell have a squad with track credentials on par if not better than the Colorados and Stanfords of this world. However, when it comes to NCAA XC Championships they only have one athlete with proven success. Cheserek is the guaranteed low stick but after King Ches the Ducks will be relying on first time NCAA cross country success from the other six runners.
Current Oregon Athlete’s NCAA Finishes:
Edward Cheserek (1st 2014; 1st 2013)
Jake Leingang (149th 2013)
Jeramy Elkaim (159th 2012)
Travis Neuman (175th 2014)
Matthew Melancon (181st 2014; 239th 2013; 97th 2012)
Jake Leingang looks to be the man in position to be the go to #2 man in 2015. Leingang last ran at NCAAs his freshman year where he finished 149th, however this past track season has been a breakout year for Leingang with two monster PBs in 7:53 and 13:46. Incoming sub-4 frosh Matthew Maton looks to be one of the top freshman in the nation this year and has the potential to be Oregon’s #3 man. Maton is an unknown for the 10K, but there has been success for true freshmen in recent years notably Colorado’s Ben Saarel and current teammate Edward Cheserek.
Rounding out the top five look to be veteran seniors Jeramy Elkaim and Matthew Melancon. Both have great track PBs, but have yet to put together a strong performance during an NCAA Championship race. If the Ducks want to get back to the podium they will need these two runners to run to their abilities which should be a 40th-70th place finish.
Over the past two years the Oregon men have proven that they have the best distance group having won four straight track team titles on the backs of their distance squad. The Ducks deserve respect when they toe the line in Louisville. However, it will be an unknown if the six guys behind Cheserek will be ready to roll in November or save it for the indoor/outdoor seasons.