Washington 89, Oregon 124
Galen Rupp 13:48
| Results | Story by Leo Collins | Photo Album |
Rupp finishes
Eagon (R) and Rupp lead runners through the Japanese Garden
photos by John Dye
Oregon wins the battle up front,
but Washington wins the war in the trenches
by Leo Collins
The race between the guys was quite anticipated, because there was little question of its national implications. Although Oregon Central Catholic's Galen Rupp, now 2-time state champion, had defeated Washington's state champ Evan Garber as well as Laef Barnes (3td) earlier in the season at Nike's Jim Danner Invitational there was no doubt that the Washington duo were two of the finest runners in the nation. That said there were a number of other runners who were capable of making matters interesting.
Rupp assumed the lead as soon as the runners merged but it was obvious that many runners were conceding nothing, as a large pack followed. The pack was so large in fact that on a turn a number of runners wiped out as they failed to get past another, who was falling. Well past the ½ mile mark Stuart Eagon of Oregon and David Kinsella of Washington had assumed the lead flanking Rupp.
Rupp and Kinsella had a slight lead by the 4 ½ minute mark slightly ahead of Eagon and Oregon 's Zuber Ahmed, yet a large chase pack remained. The mile was reached in 5:06 with Rupp and Eagon enjoying a slight lead and the race remained unchanged throughout much of the succeeding mile. Ryan Vail of Oregon joined the big four at around the two-mile point, as the pace continued to increase.
It was shortly after this point that the final result was beginning to unfold. With the pace picking up, Vail and Ahmed were soon dropped. Racing at a brisk speed Rupp, Eagon and Kinsella continued to challenge each other. Reaching the soccer field with 200 meters to go, only two remained, as Eagon fell behind. Kinsella attempted to respond to Rupp but he could not match the Oregonian's rapid striding cadence. The race for first and second had been decided.
Racing for home, Washington's Tom Wyatt moved up to snare third. Close behind, Oregon 's Eagon, Vail and Ahmed garnered the next 3 places but Washington left no doubt about the team result, as a mob of Washington runners led by Justin Houck flooded across the finish line taking 7 th -14 th . The final score: Washington 89 Oregon 124. On a cool day in Oregon the home state guys could not overcome the Washington pack in spite of some impressive front runners.
Compliments have to go to Nike for hosting this weekend event. Not only do the runners get sponsored for some fine competition but runners get to have their running gait analyzed at the Nike research lab and they are treated with a Saturday evening dinner. Runners were able to meet and chat with famous coaches like Joe Newton, Danny Green, and Pat Tyson and athletes like Bernard Lagat and Suzy Favor Hamilton, who mixed with the young men and women as great ambassadors for the sport. It is even fan friendly as a helicopter hovers over head and films the event, so it can be seen on monitors in the infield and on TV later. Even the Oregon rains held off until later. Next stop: Foot Locker nationals!
