OTCElite.com - OTC Elite Official Site

Member - dkap

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:04:24 +0000

Member - DLitcious

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:15:45 +0000

Member - connor vigil

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:39:26 +0000

Video - 2009 Strands 5k Finish Video and Results - Corvallis, OR

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:04:10 +0000

Video - Ben True and Ben Bruce - Strands 5k 2009

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:50:52 +0000

Photo - No Title

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:31:19 +0000

News - Kipyego, others join OTC Elite in Eugene

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:09:45 +0000

Nine-time NCAA winner joins OTC

BY CURTIS ANDERSON

The Register-Guard

Appeared in print: Wednesday, Oct 7, 2009

Sports: Home: Story

Sally Kipyego, one of the greatest women’s distance runners in NCAA history, has moved to Eugene and joined Oregon Track Club Elite.

The 23-year-old Kipyego finished her collegiate career at Texas Tech last March with nine individual NCAA championships. She is tied with Wisconsin’s Suzy Favor Hamilton for the most individual titles in NCAA history.

“This seemed like a great place for me to begin my professional career,” said Kipyego, a native of Kenya. “I like the coach and it’s such a good training group. That was a big part of my motivation.”

Kipyego first visited Eugene last June when she placed fourth in the 2,000 meters at the 2009 Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field. Kipyego, who has a degree in nursing, said she would probably focus on the 5,000 meters on the track, with the addition of a few 1,500 races. Her main training partner will be OTC Elite’s Lauren Fleshman.

“I’m putting my nursing degree on hold for right now,” she said. “I’m fully concentrating on running at this time.”

Kipyego dominated the cross country scene with three consecutive NCAA titles in 2006, ’07 and ’08. She also won three straight indoor track crowns in the 5,000 (2007, ’08 and ’09), plus national outdoor titles in the 10,000 (2007) and 5,000 (2008) and an indoor crown in the 3,000 (2007).

Although the OTC Elite roster is still being finalized for the upcoming indoor and outdoor season, Kipyego is one of five notable newcomers.

She joins Michigan’s Geena Gall (800), Dartmouth’s Ben True (1,500), Northern Iowa’s Tyler Mulder (800) and Texas’ Jake Morse (steeplechase).

Member - DebWils

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:30:17 +0000

Video - Mens 800m Final - World Championships

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:25:22 +0000

Video - Geena Gall after making 800m semi-finals - World Championships 2009

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:44:42 +0000

Video - Nick Symmonds after making 800 semis - World Championships 2009

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:42:43 +0000

News - Pifer to Try for "A" Standard at Thursday's All-Comers Meet

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:29:16 +0000

Walker's Pace: Pifer to Try for "A" Standard at Thursday's All-Comers Meet

Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 12:00 p.m.

Stephen Pifer of OTC Elite will participate in a 1,500 meter race at the end of Thursday night's OTC All-comer Meets meet at Historic Hayward Field in an effort to reach the "A" standard in the event and claim a spot on Team USA for the 2009 IAAF World Championships next month in Berlin.

Pifer finished fourth in the 1,500 at the USA Track and Field Championships last month, running 3:44.21. Both he and Arkansas' Dorian Ulrey, the third-place finisher, are chasing the "A" standard of 3:36.20 for a spot on Team USA.

Joining Pifer in the race will be OTC Elite teammates Ryan Bak, Tom Brooks, Russell Brown, Ben Bruce, John Jefferson, Billy Nelson and Mark Wieczorek.

The 1,500 is scheduled for approximately 7:45 p.m. Thursday. There is no charge for admission.

Member - AZRunning

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:17:56 +0000

Photo - Nick Symmonds - USA Outdoor Championships 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:35:35 +0000

Photo - Nick Symmonds - USA Outdoor Championships 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:35:22 +0000

Photo - Nick Symmonds - USA Outdoor Championships 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:35:10 +0000

Photo - Nick Symmonds - USA Outdoor Championships 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:34:32 +0000

Photo - Nick Symmonds - USA Outdoor Championships 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:34:06 +0000

Photo - Stephen Pifer - USA Outdoor Championships 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:33:47 +0000

Photo - Ben Bruce - USA Outdoor Championships 2009

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:06:37 +0000

News - OTC Elite Prepares For USA Championships At Hayward Field - OTCElite.com

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:29:45 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2009

OTC Elite Prepares For USA Championships At Hayward Field

Eugene, Oregon – After a successful spring of racing and training the Oregon Track Club Elite is looking forward to the beginning of its championship season this week at the USATF Outdoor Championships. The championships, which are being held at OTC’s home track at Hayward Field, begin on Thursday, June 25^th and continue through the weekend concluding on Sunday, June 28^th.

OTC Elite has qualified nearly its entire roster for the four day event. OTC Elite participants include entrants in the men’s 800 meters, 1,500 meters, 3,000 meter steeplechase, as well as the men’s and women’s 5,000 meters.

Men’s 800 Meters:
-Nick Symmonds – 2008 Olympic Trials Champion, 1:44.10 personal best set at the Olympic Trials. This year Nick won the highly competitive Pre Classic in a seasons best of 1:45.86.
-Brandon Shaw – 2008 Olympic Trials semi-finalist. Season best of 1:46.45 at the Pre-Pre meet.
Matt Scherer – 2008 Olympic Trials semi-finalist. Season best of 1:46.53 at the Harry Jerome Classic.
-Kevin Hicks – Season best of 1:46.97 at the Harry Jerome Classic.
-Mark Wieczorek – 2009 USATF Indoor 800 meter runner-up. Season best of 1:47.11 at the Nike Mile.

Men’s 1,500 Meters:
-Will Leer – Fourth place at 2008 Olympic Trials in the 1,500 meters. Season best of 3:39.69 at the Adidas Track Classic.
-Stephen Pifer – Season best of 3:40.28 at the Harry Jerome Classic.
-Russell Brown – The USATF Championships will be Russell’s outdoor open debut. Split 4:05 on OTC Elite’s 4xMile team at the Oregon Twilight.

Men’s 3,000 Meter Steeplechase:
-Ben Bruce – Fastest American in the event this year with lifetime PR of 8:26.08.
-Billy Nelson – 2008 Olympian in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Season best of 8:35.90 at the Prefontaine Classic
-Tom Brooks – Season best of 8:41.97 at the Payton Jordan Invitational.

Men’s 5,000 Meters:
-Stephen Pifer – Season best of 13:33.69 at the Payton Jordan Invitational.
-Ryan Bak – Season best of 13:55.72 at the Payton Jordan Invitational.

Women’s 5,000 Meters:
-Lauren Fleshman – The USATF Championships will be Lauren’s 2009 debut. In 2008 Lauren joined the prestigious club of American women to break 15:00.00 for 5,000 meters.

For results from the USATF Outdoor Championships visit USATF’s website at: www.usatf.org and can be viewed live on www.tracktown.net. Saturday’s events can be seen on ESPN from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., PST, and Sunday on NBC from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. For more information on the OTC Elite and to follow the rest of the team’s season in Europe visit the team’s website at www.OTCelite.com.

Contact:
Rob Vermillion
Rob.otcelite@gmail.com

###

News - Symmonds Wins Prefontaine Classic - OTCElite.com

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:18:59 +0000

FOR IMMEDAITE RELEASE – June 7, 2009

Symmonds Wins Prefontaine Classic

Eugene, Oregon – Oregon Track Club Elite’s Nick Symmonds won his second Prefontaine Classic 800 meter title (his first win was in 2007). Symmonds outran a spectacular field that included the last two Olympic 800 meter Champions, winning in a time of 1:45.86, which is a season’s best and the fastest time by an American this year.

OTC Elite had a strong presence in several other events at the Pre Classic. In the women’s 800 meters Jemma Simpson ran a strong race to finish in third in 2:01.10. Simpson notably defeated the 2008 Olympic Champion at 800 meters with her performance.

Other OTC Elite results include Will Leer’s twelfth place finish in the Bowerman Mile, which was also a personal best time of 3:56.63. In the men’s steeplechase Ben Bruce led the way for the OTC Elite finishing fifth in 8:33.11. Bruce was followed by teammate Billy Nelson in seventh, 8:35.90, and Tom Brooks, who was tenth in 8:43.25.

For complete results and commentary from the Prefontaine Classic visit the meet website at www.Preclassic.com. For more information on the OTC Elite visit the team’s website at www.OTCelite.com.

Contact:
Rob Vermillion
Rob.otcelite@gmail.com

###

News - 2009 Results - Nike Prefontaine Classic

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 05:56:23 +0000

PreClassic.com - The Official Prefontaine Classic website

2009 Results

OTC Elite HP Race "Pre-Pre" Results - Click here for race videos

Pre Classic Results / Race videos

 Flash Results, Inc. 
               2009 Prefontaine Classic Grand Prix - 6/7/2009               
                                 Eugene, OR

Event 8  Men 100 Meter Dash Section I
=====================================================================       
       World: W  9.69  2008        Usain Bolt, Jamaica                      
    American: A  9.77  2008        Tyson Gay                                
     Hayward: H  9.77  2008        Tyson Gay, USA                           
 Prefontaine: P  9.88  2004        Shawn Crawford, USA                      
   All-Comer: @  9.72  5/31/2008   Usain Bolt, Jamaica                      
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  Wind       
=====================================================================       
Finals                                                                      
  1 Rae Edwards                  USA                      10.10   0.1       
  2 Leroy Dixon                  USA                      10.18   0.1 10.171
  3 Ivory Williams               USA                      10.18   0.1 10.177
  4 Ryan Bailey                  USA                      10.18   0.1 10.179
  5 Jaysuma Ndura                Norway                   10.20   0.1       
  6 Shawn Crawford               USA                      10.21   0.1       
  7 Rodney Martin                USA                      10.43   0.1

Event 17  Men 100 Meter Dash Section II
=====================================================================
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  Wind
=====================================================================
Finals                                                               
  1 Michael Rodgers              USA                       9.94   1.7
  2 Asafa Powell                 Jamaica                  10.07   1.7
  3 Walter Dix                   USA                      10.07   1.7
  4 Travis Padgett               USA                      10.08   1.7
  5 Richard Thompson             Trinidad                 10.09   1.7
  6 Michael Frater               Jamaica                  10.18   1.7
  7 Churundy Martina             Netherland Antilles      10.24   1.7
  8 Marc Burns                   Trinidad                 10.34   1.7

Event 16  Women 100 Meter Dash
=====================================================================
       World: W 10.49  1988        Florence Griffith-Joyner, USA     
    American: A 10.49  1988        Florence Griffith-Joyner          
     Hayward: H 10.78  2008        Torri Edwards, USA                
 Prefontaine: P 10.94  2008        Torri Edwards, USA                
   All-Comer: @ 10.49  7/16/1988   Florence Griffith-Joyner, USA     
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  Wind
=====================================================================
Finals                                                               
  1 Carmelita Jeter              USA                      10.85   3.2
  2 Kerron Stewart               Jamaica                  10.90   3.2
  3 Muna Lee                     USA                      11.02   3.2
  4 Shelly-Ann Fraser            Jamaica                  11.10   3.2
  5 Lauryn Williams              USA                      11.12   3.2
  6 Marshevet Hooker             USA                      11.30   3.2
  7 Tianna Madison               USA                      11.31   3.2

Event 10  Women 100 Meter Hurdles
=====================================================================       
       World: W 12.21  1988        Yordanka Donkova, Bulgaria               
    American: A 12.33  2000        Gail Devers                              
     Hayward: H 12.45  2003        Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Jamaica          
     Hayward: H 12.45  2008        Lolo Jones, USA                          
 Prefontaine: P 12.45  2003        Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Jamaica          
   All-Comer: @ 12.33  7/23/2000   Gail Devers, USA                         
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  Wind       
=====================================================================       
Finals                                                                      
  1 Michelle Perry               USA                      12.74   1.0 12.731
  2 Damu Cherry                  USA                      12.74   1.0 12.739
  3 Priscilla Lopes-Schliep      Canada                   12.75   1.0       
  4 Perdita Felicien             Canada                   12.78   1.0       
  5 Brigitte Foster-Hylton       Jamaica                  13.08   1.0       
  6 Ginny Powell                 USA                      13.20   1.0       
  7 Vonette Dixon                Jamaica                  13.31   1.0       
 -- Dawn Harper                  USA                        DNF   1.0

Event 19  Men 300 Meter Dash
===============================================================
       World: W 30.85  2000        Michael Johnson, USA        
    American: A 30.85  2000        Michael Johnson             
     Hayward: H 31.31  2006        LaShawn Merritt, USA        
 Prefontaine: P 32.19  1994        Jason Rouser, USA           
   All-Comer: @ 31.31  8/8/2006    LaShawn Merritt, USA        
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals
===============================================================
Finals                                                         
  1 LaShawn Merritt              USA                      31.30
  2 Xavier Carter                USA                      31.93
  3 Wallace Spearmon             USA                      32.14
  4 Shawn Crawford               USA                      32.47
  5 David Neville                USA                      32.49
  6 Rennie Quow                  Trinidad                 32.55
  7 Tyler Christopher            Canada                   32.59
  8 Darold Williamson            USA                      33.76

Event 14  Women 400 Meter Dash
===============================================================
       World: W 47.60  1985        Marita Koch, East Germany   
    American: A 48.70  2006        Sanya Richards              
     Hayward: H 49.34  2003        Ana Guevara, Mexico         
 Prefontaine: P 49.34  2003        Ana Guevara, Mexico         
   All-Comer: @ 48.25  7/29/1996   Marie-Jose Perec, France    
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals
===============================================================
Finals                                                         
  1 Sanya Richards               USA                      49.86
  2 Shericka Williams            Jamaica                  50.72
  3 Yuliya Guschina              Russia                   51.17
  4 Amantle Montsho              Botswana                 51.31
  5 Novlene Williams-Mills       Jamaica                  51.32
  6 Anastasia Kapachinskaia      Russia                   51.67
  7 Melaine Walker               Jamaica                  52.01
  8 Natasha Hastings             USA                      52.33

Event 5  Men 400 Meter Hurdles
===============================================================
       World: w 46.78  1992        Kevin Young, USA            
    American: a 46.78  1992        Kevin Young                 
     Hayward: h 47.69  1993        Kevin Young, USA            
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals
===============================================================
Finals                                                         
  1 Bershawn Jackson             USA                      48.38
  2 Isa Phillips                 Jamaica                  48.55
  3 Kerron Clement               USA                      48.73
  4 Angelo Taylor                USA                      48.79
  5 Michael Tinsley              USA                      48.80
  6 Markino Buckley              Jamaica                  50.80
  7 Kenneth Ferguson             USA                      51.94

Event 15  Men 800 Meter Run
===============================================================
 Position 9 is lane 5B and position 10 is lane 8B              
       World: W 1:41.11  1997        Wilson Kipketer, Denmark  
    American: A 1:42.60  1985        Johnny Gray               
     Hayward: H 1:44.01  2008        Alfred Yego, Kenya        
 Prefontaine: P 1:44.01  2008        Alfred Kirwa Yego, Kenya  
   All-Comer: @ 1:42.58  7/31/1996   Vebjorn Rodal, Norway     
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals
===============================================================
Finals                                                         
  1 Nick Symmonds                USA                    1:45.86
  2 Alfred Yego                  Kenya                  1:46.21
  3 Christian Smith              USA                    1:46.36
  4 Gary Reed                    Canada                 1:46.37
  5 Khadevis Robinson            USA                    1:46.64
  6 Yuriy Borzakovskiy           Russia                 1:47.05
  7 Ahmad Ismail                 Sudan                  1:47.83
  8 Elijah Greer                 USA                    1:49.15
 -- Matt Scherer                 USA                        DNF
 -- Boaz Lalang                  Kenya                      DNF

Event 18  Women 800 Meter Run
================================================================
       World: W 1:53.28  1983        Jarmila Kratochvilova, Czec
    American: A 1:56.40  1999        Jearl Miles-Clark          
     Hayward: H 1:57.57  1997        Maria Mutola, Mozambique   
 Prefontaine: P 1:57.57  1997        Maria Mutola, Mozambique   
   All-Comer: @ 1:56.56  5/22/1993   Maria Mutola, Mozambique   
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals 
================================================================
Finals                                                          
  1 Maggie Vessey                USA                    2:00.18 
  2 Kenia Sinclair               Jamaica                2:01.02 
  3 Jemma Simpson                Great Britain          2:01.10 
  4 Hazel Clark                  USA                    2:01.12 
  5 Tatyana Andrianova           Russia                 2:01.16 
  6 Alysia Johnson               USA                    2:05.32 
  7 Pamela Jelimo                Kenya                  2:05.57 
 -- Jesse Carlin                 USA                        DNF

Event 7  Women 1500 Meter Run
================================================================         
       World: W 3:50.46  1993        Qu Yunxia, China                    
    American: A 3:57.12  1983        Mary Slaney                         
     Hayward: H 3:59.19  1984        Mary Slaney, USA                    
 Prefontaine: P 4:00.44  2008        Gelete Burka, Ethiopia              
   All-Comer: @ 3:58.92  7/23/1988   Mary Slaney, USA                    
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals          
================================================================         
Finals                                                                   
  1 Gelete Burka                 Ethiopia               3:59.89          
  2 Jenny Barringer              USA                    3:59.90          
  3 Anna Alminova                Russia                 4:01.44  4:01.432
  4 Anna Willard                 USA                    4:01.44  4:01.439
  5 Christin Wurth-Thomas        USA                    4:01.72          
  6 Shannon Rowbury              USA                    4:03.92          
  7 Nuria Fernandez              Spain                  4:04.75          
  8 Nancy Lagat                  Kenya                  4:05.05          
  9 Meskerem Assefa              Ethiopia               4:05.99          
 10 Erin Donohoe                 USA                    4:06.70          
 11 Shalene Flanagan             USA                    4:06.91          
 12 Treniere Clement             USA                    4:10.73          
 13 Shayne Culpepper             USA                    4:15.18          
 -- Nikeya Green                 USA                        DNF

Event 21  Men 1 Mile Run Bowerman
================================================================
       World: W 3:43.13  1999        Hicham El Guerrouj, Morocco
    American: A 3:46.91  2007        Alan Webb                  
     Hayward: H 3:48.28  2007        Daniel K. Komen, Kenya     
 Prefontaine: P 3:48.28  2007        Daniel K. Komen, Kenya     
   All-Comer: @ 3:48.28  6/10/2007   Daniel K. Komen, Kenya     
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals 
================================================================
Finals                                                          
  1 Asbel Kiprop                 Kenya                  3:48.50 
  2 Haron Keitany                Kenya                  3:48.78 
  3 Nate Brannen                 Canada                 3:52.63 
  4 Belal Mansoor                Bahrain                3:53.05 
  5 Nicholas Kemboi              Kenya                  3:53.43 
  6 Lopez Lomong                 USA                    3:53.47 
  7 Evan Jager                   USA                    3:54.35 
  8 Shedrack Korir               Kenya                  3:54.77 
  9 Henock Legesse               Ethiopia               3:54.81 
 10 Alan Webb                    USA                    3:55.99 
 11 Peter van der Westhuisen     South Africa           3:56.26 
 12 Will Leer                    USA                    3:56.63 
 13 Leonel Manzano               USA                    3:58.68 
 14 Josephat Kithii              Kenya                  4:01.09 
 -- Moise Joseph                 Haiti                      DNF 
 -- Jackson Kivuna               Kenya                      DNF 


Event 20  Women 2000 Meter Run
===============================================================
       World: W 5:25.36  1994        Sonia O'Sullivan, Ireland 
    American: A 5:32.70  1984        Mary Slaney               
     Hayward: H 5:32.7h  1984        Mary Slaney, USA          
 Prefontaine: P 5:38.80  1992        Annette Peters, USA       
   All-Comer: @ 5:32.7h  8/3/1984    Mary Slaney, USA          
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals
===============================================================
Finals                                                         
  1 Vivian Cheruiyot             Kenya                  5:31.52
  2 Maryam Jamal                 Bahrain                5:31.88
  3 Linet Masai                  Kenya                  5:33.43
  4 Sally Kipyego                Kenya                  5:35.20
  5 Pauline Korikwiang           Kenya                  5:38.11
  6 Amy Yoder-Begley             USA                    5:38.34
  7 Kara Goucher                 USA                    5:41.28
  8 Jen Rhines                   USA                    5:51.69
  9 Sara Hall                    USA                    5:54.07
 10 Lauren Hagans                USA                    5:57.60
 -- Sara Vaughn                  USA                        DNF
 -- Marina Muncan                Serbia                     DNF

Event 13  Men 3000 Meter Run
===============================================================
       World: W 7:20.67  1996        Daniel Komen, Kenya       
    American: A 7:30.84  1998        Bob Kennedy               
     Hayward: H 7:35.44  2005        Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya     
 Prefontaine: P 7:35.44  2005        Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya     
   All-Comer: @ 7:35.44  6/4/2005    Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya     
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals
===============================================================
Finals                                                         
  1 Bernard Lagat                USA                    7:35.92
  2 Saif Shaheen                 Qatar                  7:36.87
  3 Chris Solinsky               USA                    7:37.05
  4 Matt Tegenkamp               USA                    7:37.32
  5 Alistair Craigg              Ireland                7:37.84
  6 Eliud Kipchoge               Kenya                  7:38.24
  7 Moses Masai                  Kenya                  7:44.75
  8 Leonard Komon                Kenya                  7:45.53
  9 Scott Bauhs                  USA                    7:54.58
 10 Dejen Gebremeskel            Ethiopia               7:58.69
 11 Brent Vaughn                 USA                    8:09.82
 -- Julius Achon                 USA                        DNF
 -- Steve Sherer                 USA                        DNF


Event 4  Men 3000 Meter Steeplechase
===============================================================
       World: W 7:53.63  2004        Saif Shaheen, Qatar       
    American: A 8:08.82  2006        Daniel Lincoln            
     Hayward: H 8:08.08  2007        Paul Koech, Kenya         
 Prefontaine: P 8:08.08  2007        Paul Koech, Kenya         
   All-Comer: @ 8:01.85  5/31/2008   Paul Koech, Kenya         
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals
===============================================================
Finals                                                         
  1 Paul Koech                   Kenya                  8:13.44
  2 Roba Gary                    Ethiopia               8:21.22
  3 Josh McAdams                 USA                    8:26.55
  4 Rob Watson                   USA                    8:27.09
  5 Ben Bruce                    USA                    8:33.11
  6 Kyle Alcorn                  USA                    8:34.02
  7 Billy Nelson                 USA                    8:35.90
  8 Dan Huling                   USA                    8:36.47
  9 Brian Olinger                USA                    8:37.23
 10 Tom Brooks                   USA                    8:43.25
 11 Steve Slattery               USA                    8:45.13
 -- Luke Watson                  USA                        DNF


Event 1  Men Pole Vault
==========================================================================
 Starting Ht: 5.41, 5.51, 5.61, 5.71, 5.76, 5.81, +5 cm                   
       World: W 6.14m  1994        Sergey Bubka, Ukraine                  
    American: A 6.04m  2008        Brad Walker                            
     Hayward: H 6.04m  2008        Brad Walker, USA                       
 Prefontaine: P 6.04m  2008        Brad Walker, USA                       
   All-Comer: @ 6.04m  6/8/2008    Brad Walker, USA                       
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals           
==========================================================================
Finals                                                                    
  1 Alhaji Jeng                  Sweden                   5.51m   18-01.00
     5.41 5.51 5.61 5.71                                                  
        O  XXO  PPP    X                                                  
  2 Jeremy Scott                 USA                      5.41m   17-09.00
     5.41 5.51                                                            
      XXO  XXX                                                            
  2 Tim Mack                     USA                      5.41m   17-09.00
     5.41 5.51                                                            
      XXO   XX                                                            
 -- Derek Miles                  USA                         NH           
     5.41                                                                 
      XXX                                                                 
 -- Jacob Pauli                  USA                         NH           
     5.41                                                                 
      XXX                                                                 
 -- Daichi Sawano                Japan                       NH           
     5.41                                                                 
      XXX                                                                 
 -- Giovanni Lanaro              Mexico                      NH           
     5.41                                                                 
      XXX

Event 3  Men Long Jump
===============================================================================
       World: W 8.95m  1991        Mike Powell, USA                            
    American: A 8.95m  1991        Mike Powell                                 
     Hayward: H 8.49m  1993        Mike Powell, USA                            
     Hayward: H 8.49m  2007        Irving Saladino, Panama                     
 Prefontaine: P 8.49m  2007        Irving Saladino, Panama                     
   All-Comer: @ 8.79m  6/19/1983   Carl Lewis, USA                             
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  Wind          
===============================================================================
Finals                                                                         
  1 Dwight Phillips              USA                      8.74mH -1.2  28-08.25
     8.43m(-0.7) FOUL(-0.4) 8.74m(-1.2) 8.64m(-0.1) PASS      PASS             
  2 Irving Saladino              Panama                   8.63mH -0.4  28-03.75
     8.29m(+0.0) FOUL(-0.3) 8.55m(-1.5) 8.63m(-0.4) FOUL(-1.9) FOUL(-1.6)      
  3 Fabrice Lapierre             AUSTRALIA                8.02m  -0.1  26-03.75
     7.49m(-0.7) 7.68m(+0.0) 7.73m(-0.7) FOUL(-0.4) 7.95m(+0.0) 8.02m(-0.1)    
  4 Trevell Quinley              USA                      8.01m  -0.3  26-03.50
     FOUL(+0.0) FOUL(-1.4) FOUL(-0.8) FOUL(-1.0) 7.18m(-0.3) 8.01m(-0.3)       
  5 Yayah Berrabah               Morocco                  7.98m  -0.4  26-02.25
     7.52m(-0.9) 7.92m(-0.6) FOUL(-1.1) FOUL(-2.0) 7.98m(-0.4) PASS            
  6 Miguel Pate                  USA                      7.92m  -0.3  26-00.00
     FOUL(-0.6) FOUL(-1.3) FOUL(-0.6) FOUL(-1.6) FOUL(-2.2) 7.92m(-0.3)        
  7 Matthew Turner               USA                      7.86m  -1.1  25-09.50
     7.86m(-1.1) 7.51m(+0.0) FOUL(-1.2) 7.31m(-0.4) FOUL(-0.8) FOUL(-1.0)      
  8 Brian Johnson                USA                      7.84m  -2.5  25-08.75
     7.76m(-0.6) 7.79m(-1.3) 7.58m(+0.0) 7.51m(-1.2) 7.64m(-0.8) 7.84m(-2.5)   


Event 6  Women Discus Throw
==========================================================================
       World: W 76.80m  1988        Gabriele Reinsch, East Germany        
    American: A 67.67m  2007        Suzy Powell-Roos                      
     Hayward: H 65.35m  2000        Lisa Marie Vizaniari, Australia       
 Prefontaine: P 65.35m  2000        Lisa Marie Vizaniari, Australia       
   All-Comer: @ 71.22m  7/15/1984   Ria Stalman, Netherlands              
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals           
==========================================================================
Finals                                                                    
  1 Stephanie Brown-Trafton      USA                     63.98m     209-11
      63.98m  63.58m  FOUL  FOUL  63.64m  FOUL                            
  2 Summer Pierson               USA                     60.53m     198-07
      56.13m  59.75m  60.53m  58.51m  58.75m  FOUL                        
  3 Becky Breisch                USA                     60.06m     197-00
      52.82m  55.61m  58.35m  60.06m  59.69m  FOUL                        
  4 Aretha Thurmond              USA                     60.04m     197-00
      58.30m  59.13m  59.87m  58.95m  59.33m  60.04m                      
  5 Suzy Powell                  USA                     59.99m     196-10
      FOUL  57.93m  57.73m  59.99m  FOUL  58.60m                          
  6 Gia Lewis-Smallwood          USA                     59.39m     194-10
      50.63m  54.13m  59.39m  54.66m  58.30m  FOUL                        
  7 Annie Hess                   USA                     51.60m     169-03
      51.60m  49.83m  FOUL  FOUL  FOUL  50.45m                            


Event 2  Women Hammer Throw
==========================================================================
       World: W 77.80m  2006        Tatyana Lysenko, Russia               
    American: A 73.87m  2005        Erin Gilreath                         
     Hayward: H 73.93m  2008        Betty Heidler, Germany                
 Prefontaine: P 73.93m  2008        Betty Heidler, Germany                
   All-Comer: @ 73.93m  6/8/2008    Betty Heidler, Germany                
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals           
==========================================================================
Finals                                                                    
  1 Betty Heidler                Germany                 72.81m     238-10
      71.33m  71.25m  72.81m  67.35m  69.59m  71.29m                      
  2 Sultana Frizell              Canada                  72.07m     236-05
      72.07m  71.59m  FOUL  FOUL  69.90m  69.33m                          
  3 Jessica Cosby                USA                     70.68m     231-11
      67.83m  70.35m  69.14m  70.68m  68.25m  69.85m                      
  4 Darya Pchelnick              Belarus                 70.62m     231-08
      70.62m  69.93m  67.93m  64.81m  67.71m  67.89m                      
  5 Amber Campbell               USA                     68.35m     224-03
      65.49m  68.17m  68.27m  68.11m  66.09m  68.35m                      
  6 Loree Smith                  USA                     66.82m     219-03
      64.90m  66.82m  65.55m  FOUL  65.96m  FOUL                          
  7 Oksana Menkova               Belarus                 66.31m     217-07
      66.07m  64.31m  65.20m  66.31m  FOUL  FOUL                          
  8 Britney Henry                USA                     64.89m     212-11
      FOUL  62.96m  64.49m  FOUL  FOUL  64.89m

Event 9  Men High Jump
==========================================================================
 Starting ht: 2.16, 2.21, 2.26, 2.31, 2.34, 2.36, +2 cm                   
       World: W 2.45m  1993        Javier Sotomayor, Cuba                 
    American: A 2.40m  1991        Charles Austin                         
     Hayward: H 2.35m  2002        Charles Clinger, USA                   
 Prefontaine: P 2.35m  2002        Charles Clinger, USA                   
   All-Comer: @ 2.39m  7/28/1996   Charles Austin, USA                    
   All-comer: @ 2.39m  7/30/1989   Hollis Conway, USA                     
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals           
==========================================================================
Finals                                                                    
  1 Ivan Ukhov                   Russia                   2.34m    7-08.00
     2.16 2.21 2.26 2.31 2.34 2.36                                        
        O    O    O    O    O  XXX                                        
  2 Yaroslav Rybakov             Russia                   2.31m    7-07.00
     2.16 2.21 2.26 2.31 2.34                                             
        O    O   XO   XO  XXX                                             
  3 Raul Spank                   Germany                  2.26m    7-05.00
     2.16 2.21 2.26 2.31                                                  
        O    O    O  XXX                                                  
  3 Jesse Williams               USA                      2.26m    7-05.00
     2.16 2.21 2.26 2.31                                                  
      PPP    O    O  XXX                                                  
  5 Andrey Silnov                Russia                   2.21m    7-03.00
     2.16 2.21 2.26                                                       
        O   XO  XXX                                                       
  6 Donald Thomas                Bahamas                 J2.21m    7-03.00
     2.16 2.21 2.26                                                       
        O  XXO  XXX                                                       
  6 Jamie Nieto                  USA                     J2.21m    7-03.00
     2.16 2.21 2.26                                                       
        O  XXO  XXX                                                       
  8 Germaine Mason               Great Britain           J2.21m    7-03.00
     2.16 2.21 2.26                                                       
       XO  XXO  XXX                                                       
  9 Andra Manson                 USA                      2.16m    7-01.00
     2.16 2.21                                                            
      XXO  XXX                                                            
 -- Dusty Jonas                  USA                         NH           
     2.16                                                                 
      XXX                                                                 


Event 11  Women Long Jump
===============================================================================
       World: W 7.52m  1988        Galina Chistyakova, USSR                    
    American: A 7.49m  1994        Jackie Joyner-Kersee                        
     Hayward: H 7.31m  1998        Marion Jones, USA                           
 Prefontaine: P 7.31m  1998        Marion Jones, USA                           
   All-Comer: @ 7.49m  5/22/1994   Jackie Joyner-Kersee, USA                   
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  Wind          
===============================================================================
Finals                                                                         
  1 Funmi Jimoh                  USA                      6.69m   2.8  21-11.50
     6.38m(1.6) 5.28m(2.7) 6.32m(-1.1) 6.69m(2.8) 5.93m(1.7) FOUL              
  2 Knjesa Balta                 Estonia                  6.68m   1.6  21-11.00
     6.21m(+0.0) 6.68m(1.6) 6.67m(2.4) 6.44m(0.8) 6.28m(-1.4) FOUL             
  3 Yelena Sokolova              Russia                  J6.68m   2.2  21-11.00
     6.54m(0.4) FOUL      6.68m(2.2) FOUL      FOUL      FOUL                  
  4 Jovanne Jarrett              USA                      6.66m   1.8  21-10.25
     6.32m(-0.1) 6.47m(0.5) 6.42m(0.1) FOUL      6.66m(1.8) 6.59m(2.4)         
  5 Brianna Glenn                USA                      6.60m   1.3  21-08.00
     4.99m(1.2) FOUL      6.60m(1.3) 6.38m(1.3) 6.55m(1.3) 4.82m(0.8)          
  6 Brittney Reese               USA                     J6.60m   1.8  21-08.00
     6.40m(+0.0) 6.41m(-0.5) FOUL      6.60m(1.8) FOUL      FOUL               
  7 Grace Upshaw                 USA                      6.59m   1.4  21-07.50
     6.40m(+0.0) 6.35m(1.4) 6.59m(1.4) 6.40m(1.0) 6.37m(1.0) 6.50m(1.5)        
  8 Hyleas Fountain              USA                      6.48m   0.9  21-03.25
     FOUL      6.37m(-0.5) 6.48m(0.9) FOUL      6.47m(2.7) 6.43m(1.4)          
  9 Tabia Charles                Canada                   6.25m   2.1  20-06.25
     4.45m(-1.4) 6.12m(1.7) 6.25m(2.1)                                         
 10 Tianna Madison               USA                      6.06m   1.7  19-10.75
     6.06m(1.7) 5.91m(0.4) FOUL

Event 12  Men Shot Put
==========================================================================
       World: W 23.12m  1990        Randy Barnes, USA                     
    American: A 23.12m  1990        Rayndy Barnes                         
     Hayward: H 22.19m  2002        Kevin Toth, USA                       
 Prefontaine: P 22.19m  2002        Kevin Toth, USA                       
   All-Comer: @ 23.12m  5/20/1990   Randy Barnes, USA                     
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals           
==========================================================================
Finals                                                                    
  1 Reese Hoffa                  USA                     21.89m   71-10.00
      20.64m  20.67m  FOUL  20.95m  FOUL  21.89m                          
  2 Dan Taylor                   USA                     21.29m   69-10.25
      FOUL  21.07m  21.29m  FOUL  21.06m  FOUL                            
  3 Tomasz Majewski              Poland                  21.26m   69-09.00
      FOUL  20.67m  21.26m  FOUL  FOUL  FOUL                              
  4 Christian Cantwell           USA                     20.99m   68-10.50
      20.99m  FOUL  20.91m  FOUL  FOUL  FOUL                              
  5 Dylan Armstrong              Canada                  20.63m   67-08.25
      20.10m  20.45m  20.63m  FOUL  20.30m  20.05m                        
  6 Andrey Mikhnevich            Belarus                 20.45m   67-01.25
      FOUL  20.21m  20.32m  20.35m  FOUL  20.45m                          
  7 Dorian Scott                 Jamaica                 19.91m   65-04.00
      19.69m  FOUL  19.62m  19.36m  19.91m  19.62m                        
 -- Adam Nelson                  USA                       FOUL           
      FOUL  FOUL  FOUL  FOUL  FOUL  FOUL

Blog - Matt Scherer - Penn Relays Recap - 5/4/09

Tue, 05 May 2009 02:43:33 +0000

I am definately a week late in updating my blog with a recap of last Saturday's Penn Relays. Each time I thought about writing this over the past week something else entered my mind. Here is my list of 5 reasons it took me 9 days to write a blog:

1. I got back from my trip and had almost no food in my house so I spent the time trying to create new foods by combining whatever I had left. A few of those meal creations included tuna tacos, pancakes and rice, nesquick-flavored pancakes, and instant potatoes and toast. Eventually I did go to the store and am back eating normal and healthy now. i may keep the nesquick pancakes.

2. It has been raining non-stop in Eugene since my return so I've been unmotivated to do anything but watch B-Movies on free On-Demand. I was really surprised about how many of those movies Dennis Quaid is in!

3. After a great run at Penn I got so motivated to continue training that I've been sleeping in the weight room so that I can get to work sooner in the morning and don't waste time getting ready in the morning and driving to the weight room. I did find that neither the plates or the med balls make good pillows. I ended up putting two padded benches together for a bed. It has paid off though. I am now dead lifting 300 lbs in 2 sets of 5.

4. I volunteered at a local soup kitchen last week for 40 hours to fill a community service order from a jaywalking ticket crossing the street to the courthouse to go to jury duty. Pretty ironic huh? I made a few friends though. Jay is a war vet and has had a hard time with alcoholism for the past 30 years. He is really smart and I like discussing the economy with him. I invited him over for pancakes and rice but he passed for some reason...

5. I spent over an hour every night on the phone with one of my friends explaining what a DMR was and why it looked like I was jogging around the track not catching up to Khadevis Robinson and Gary Reed. My friend couldn't grasp the concept that I ran an event that wasn't in the Olympics or the fact that since I'm bigger than all the other 800m runners, why I couldn't catch all of them like Usain Bolt can. It was very hard to try to explain why running relaxed works in a distance race to run your best time. Even after almost 8 hours of conversation I'm not very positive that I got the point across, and I have a feeling that I'll get the same questions again after my next race.

So there are my reasons for postponing this blog until tonight. Now I'll give you the recap of my Penn Relays experience.

This was my first time competing for Team USA. That in itself made it a very special experience and hope there will be many more of those times over the next several years. The travel to Philadelphia went really well after my one-hour delay out of Eugene was cancelled. That was the first time I've ever had a flight go from a delay to on-time.

Friday, the day before the race, I picked up my Team USA gear kit at the hotel and discovered that they had mistakenly given my the little distance running shorts instead of my requested half tights. There was a team meeting that night to go over teams and logistics so I took my shorts to exchange them after the meeting. During the meeting I found out that I would be on the USA White team with Christian Smith (1200), Kelliw Willie (400), and Lopez Lomong (mile) - a pretty darn good team. After the meeting we rummaged through the uniform boxes to discover there were no half tights. There are also only red and blue colored speed suits so I was stuck with the little distance shorts. Even though I run the 800, I definitely do not have a distance runner's body. To say the least, I was not very excited about going out in front of 40,000 people in my short shorts. I took that night to just relax and the next morning I decided to man up and accept my short shorts and just go out there and do my thing.

Being part of the USA vs the World part of the Penn Relays gives you some VIP treatment. One of those is you get to warm up on the infield. That was especially cool since I was in the middle of my warmup when they ran the boys high school 4x100 championship race where a team from Jamaica ran 39.91 and the crowd just went crazy, especially the 15,000+ Jamaicans in the crowd. The warm up went well and I was pretty relaxed for the race until I got onto the track. I watched the first lap of the 1200 and started to feel myself get a little nervous. So I stopped watching the race until I was on the line and saw Kelly Willie about 50 meters away. By that time I was in my race zone and was anything but nervous.

I got the baton in 3rd place about 10-12 meters back from USA Blue and Canada. I take off with the intention of maintaining the gap to the two 1:43 800m runners in front of me. About 200m into the race the Kenyan runner moves in front of me. That gave me someone to pace off of and so I kept on his heels until about 200m to go and tried to put the hammer down. I passed him back on the turn and gave it all I had the last 75 meters. By the time I got to Lomong, I could barely lift my arm to give him the baton. That thing felt like it weighed 40 pounds. At that point I moved off the track and tried to find some water and recover a little bit. I looked up with two laps to go to see Lomong in the lead. I thought that would give us a chance at the very least so I was happy I had kept it close enough. The Canadian and Kenyan anchors rand around 3:51 miles and was just a little too much for Lomong but he still split around a 3:54 and we finished 3rd, beating the other USA Blue team.

After the race I cooled down and had to go straight to the airport to catch a flight back home. At the airport I talked to my coach over the phone and he told me that I had split 1:45.79. That time is .3 faster than my personal best. So to run that fast in April is a great sign that Coach Rowland and I are on the right track. I am still in a pretty tough training phase now so when I start to taper in June I don't think I'll be so surprised when I'm running even faster but for this early in the season, that is great.

Of course I was super pumped and told a bunch of people but in reality it doesn't mean much in the scheme of the season. There will be many other times when I'll need to run at least that fast. If I'm not running fast in June, July, and August then this race won't matter at all. But it does give me a big confidence boost right now and I feel like I should be able to go out and run at least in the 1:46's my next race out.

Here are some things you might find interesting from my Penn Relays weekend:

Race VIDEO of my 800m leg

Results

PL	Affiliation	Mark	Athletes	ID
1	Kenya	9:22.04	Frederick Musyoki Ndunge (2:57.53), Thomas Musembi (46.10), Jackson Kivuna (1:45.62), Josephat Kithii (3:52.79)	KEN
2	Canada	9:22.05	Matthew Lincoln (2:56.64), Tyler Christopher (45.34), Gary Reed (1:45.73), Nate Brannen (3:54.34)	CAN
3	USA White	9:23.65	Christian Smith (2:57.51), Kelly Willie (45.84), Matt Scherer (1:45.79), Lopez Lomong (3:54.51)	USA-w
4	USA Blue	9:24.43	Leo Manzano (2:57.40), Xavier Carter (44.94), Khadevis Robinson (1:44.04), Evan Jager (3:58.05)	USA-b
5	Australia	9:36.64	Craig Huffer (2:58.39), John Steffensen (45.20), Nick Bromley (1:49.12), Ryan Gregson (4:03.93)	AUS
6	France	9:50.66	Jamel Aarass (2:58.73), Bruno Naprix (46.89), Driss Yousif (1:55.43), Nouredine Smail (4:09.61)	FRA

Photos

Blog - Running Too Fast... Matt Scherer 4/5/09

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:20:05 +0000

This past week has been a little bit rough for me training-wise. It began last Saturday at the Arizona State invitational where I ran the 400m and anchored the 4x400m relay. I guess actually it started earlier than that. In the 3 weeks leading up to that meet my training has been very base heavy. I was basically training like a 1500m runner, doing lots of tempo and aerobic based workouts. So going into the meet I was better prepared for a 1200 than an 800m. But, it was a good opportunity to get a great speed workout in.

In the 400m I got every bit of speed I could handle in running a 47.06. My hamstrings were toast after that. I had over an hour until the 4x400 so I did what I could to make sure my muscles would be ok. I got a massage from Frank, an ASU trainer (who did a great job, thanks!), and did the heating pad routine before warming up agian for the relay. Our relay's goal was to stay competitive and not get blown out of the water. The other 3 guys did a great job and I got the baton in 4th about 10m behind Illinois and 15m behind Arizona State. I am like a kid with candy when I get the baton in a 4x400. I went out and caught up to both of those teams at the halfway mark and on the curve I moved around ASU. The last 100m was pretty uneventful except ASU came back on me in the last 20m. I split 45.7 which I was completely surprised with. Evidently all I need is a little adrenaline and somebody to chase and I can still run a decent relay leg. We ran 3:08.6 as a team which is a club record by 2 seconds. 3:08 is a really good time for a college time this early in the season, so for 4 800m guys who have been doing mostly strength work, that is an excellent time.

Ok, so back to what I was originally writing about. After the meet I was dead. I slept like a baby that night and the next night, and really ever since then. Each day I had to drag myself out of bed in the morning. Workouts have gradually gotten better throughout the week but I have definitely had a rough time getting my body recovered from the races. Aerobic workouts haven't been much of a problem but my muscles weren't lasting long in anaerobic work. It wasn't until Friday when I finally felt 100% again. Then I came back strong Satturday with very solid double day of workouts.

Looking back, I know I ran faster than my body was ready for but I definitely don't regret it. I go out in every race with the intention of leaving it all on the track. I mean, why go out there if you are going to coast in and jog across the line? That's not me anyway. The good news is that I got some amazing speed work in for early in the season. With all the improvements I'm making in strength over the past year, all I'll need is a little bit of speed work to draw on that 45.1 speed I used to have to have a breakout year and do some special things. If I were to run that hard again this weekend it would only take a couple days to recover. By the time the season comes into full swing I'll be doing a workout after running 1:46's. So even though I ran faster than my body was ready for this past weekend, I can say that I'm right on schedule in my training and am on pace to have a great year.

This Thursday I'll be leaving the beautiful weather of Tucson, AZ and heading back to the hopefully dry Eugene, OR. Then a couple more weeks of training before heading to the Penn Relays to run an 800m leg on the USA Distance Medley Relay Team. Check out the Competitions section of my site for my full outdoor schedule. I am updating it as soon as I get confirmations from meets.

Arizona State university Videos:

400m

4x400m Relay

Blog - Matt Scherer - Spring Training in Arizona

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:23:40 +0000

After taking a few days off from USA Indoor Nationals at the end of February I came down here to Tucson, Arizona with most of the rest of the Oregon Track Club Elite for a 5 week stint of spring training camp. I am living in an exteneded living apartment that is fully furnished with everything from furniture, kitchen supplies, and towels.

I'm approaching the end of the third week and so far it has been incredible. The weather is 75-85 degrees every day and I've only seen clouds on two occasions. I'm getting quite the tan as well. Luckily I've been smart with the sun so haven't gotten sunburned. What I have really enjoyed though is having time to just train without the normal distractions I find in Eugene. Most days here go like this: Wake up, eat, run/workout, eat, nap, second run or workout, eat, relax for a couple hours, and sleep. Its so nice to only think about running and training. Even though it has been tough physically, I've had a chance to refocus my mind and get back in touch with my running and competitive side. The University of Arizona has been kind enough to allow us to use their facilities pretty much whenever we want. I've been working out all over Tucson though. One day was a fartlek at the park, another was hills out in the middle of the desert, and then the tempo runs along the river wash.

I love Eugene and wouldn't want to live anywhere else to run, but being away from all the track happenings going on there has been a nice break. I would love to live here in Tucson for the winter and spring and Eugene for the summer and fall. I may seriously consider that for next year.

I've got to see alot of cool scenery here so far. There are huge cacti everywhere along with little reptiles too. I haven't gone on a run yet without seeing at least 5-6 little lizards. I keep thinking I'll run into a snake though, and I don't like snakes. Actually, I porbably spend 1/3 of my runs thinking about that I would do if I saw and got bit by a rattle snake. I would have to stop running (obviously) but would still have to get to someone for help. I would have to focus on slowing my heart rate while still moving toward a road or house. Man, I hope that doesn't happen. Now I'll probably start thinking about it twice as much on my runs.

On a lighter note, I am opening up my outdoor season this weekend at the Arizona State Invitational in Tempe. For the past 3 weeks I've basically been training like a 1500 runner so Saturday I'm going to drop down to my roots and run a 400 and a 4x400 relay leg. Normally I would be stoked to run a 400 so I can show off what little sped I have left. But this time the 400 is the speed. So I'm not sure what to expect as far as time. I don't have the slightest clue as to how my speed is right now. I am confident of one thing. However fast I'm going when I cross the finish line I bet I can keep that pace for another 100m at least.

I will, however, have the opportunity to run fast. The heat I am in is loaded for an early season meet like this. There are at least 5 names I recognize as NCAA All-Americans, several of which just competed at the NCAA Indoor Nationals. In any case it should be fun. I'm pretty sure RunnerSpace will have all the videos from the meet so check back on SchererSpeed.com for my races.

Comment - ross

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:10:37 +0000

Hello OTC Elite fans! Hope everyone likes the updated site! Feel free to add your own OTC Elite photos / videos to our site.

Blog - Wiz

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:47:04 +0000

    My name is Mark Wieczorek (aka Wiz). I just wanted to introduce myself to anyone who doesn’t know me. I ran in college at Mid America Nazarene, which is a small NAIA school in Olathe, KS, where my best time was 148.07. Shortly after graduating college I ran in the US Outdoor Championships in Indianapolis where I ran qualified for the semi finals. Last year I trained under Gags as a part of Team XO and I lowered my pb to 147.14 at the Milers Series, which qualified me for the Olympic trials.

    This year I came back to Oregon to train with the OTC Elite, despite the departure of Gags (who really did a lot for me and made it possible for me to be able to continue my running career). With Gags leaving I was afraid I would slip through the cracks without Gags here looking out for me, but from the moment Coach Rowland showed up he has really taken an interest in my running career and helped further integrate me into the team, and after my first race he allowed me to officially join the team. I have been very fortunate that this year to have not gotten sick, and aside from a hamstring strain that put me out for a few weeks in the fall I have been injury free and able to keep my training going smoothly.

    I opened up the 2009 indoor season with races at the UW Invite and Husky Classic where I ran 148.43 and 148.27. My pre race goal before the first meet was to break 1:50 so I could qualify for US Indoors. I knew my fitness was definitely the best it has ever been but I was still really happy with the times I was running so it increased my excitement for nationals.

    For nationals, my big goal was to make the finals and then just run my best and I would be content with whatever happened (I really wanted top 3 as well but I didn’t know what to expect), as long as I got myself into the finals. I definitely felt a big difference dropping down to a 200-meter track, and it was my first time on a banked track. In the prelims I felt like I wasn’t running very efficiently and I wasted a lot of energy on the turns, and in the end it took much more effort to run the 1:49 than I thought it would, so I was pretty nervous in the finals. For the finals, my pre race plan was to settle in the back so I could just relax and gauge the pace of the race. I also felt like I wasn’t running very comfortably in the front of the pack in the prelims, especially with such a slow first 400 so I thought I could run better from the back. In the finals I think I came through the quarter around 55 mid to high and I was beginning to 2nd guess my decision to go out so conservatively. At the end of the 3rd lap I was feeling surprisingly good (I have always struggled with coming back the day after a race) so I just gave it all I had and I was really happy with how things turned out. I definitely like the direction Rowland is leading us and I think he has us on track have a great year, and I am very excited to see how far I can go this year.

Blog - 3/3/09 - 3rd at USA Indoors: Good or Bad?

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:46:49 +0000

The Good News:
This weekend I placed third in the 800m at the US Indoor National Championships. It was my first time making a final at a US meet and the first time, I think, in any final since NCAA's in 2006. It is also the highest I have finished at a national meet. (8th indoor 2008; 12th outdoor 2006 & 2008)

The meet we really well for me. After running a bad tactical race at the Tyson Invite two weeks ago I told my coaches and agent that it was probably for the better since I learned several key things about running the 800m on a 200m banked track. That held true this weekend. I ran probably the two smartest races I've ever ran on a banked track, in the prelims and finals. I made sure to get myself in a good position off the break and utilize one of my strengths, the size of my body, to help dictate the flow of the race. On a 200m banked track, position is everything. A person typically has to use a lot of effort to pass someone when the straights are only 50 meters long. So simply by running in the outer part of lane 1 on the straights I make someone have to go almost to the outside of land 2 to try and pass. And if they don't get around me they are stuck in lane 2 for the curve, having to run a longer distance.

But anyway, I finally had a couple tactically sound races and it paid off. In the prelim I got out in the 2nd position for the first 400 where I took over the lead from 400 to 650. Then my teammate made a good move to come around me to get the lead. I swung even farther out at that point, into lane 2 so no one else would get around. Mark and I finished close together and both easily advanced to the finals with the 2nd and 3rd best times of the day. That race felt really good and I was relaxed for almost all of it, only having to press in the last 100m or so.

The field in the finals was probably as good or better than it has been in a long time (across the board). It included 2 Olympians, the 3rd place finisher in the 1500 from the day before, myself, and my teammate Mark who has had a terrific indoor campaign this year and ranked 2nd going in to the meet. The race got out exactly how I thought with me in the 2nd position. The field cruised along through the half way at 54, a very slow start. When I saw that I knew things were going to get interesting. I was surprised to see Steve Sherer move so early with 350 to go but stayed patient. With 250 to go everyone was making or starting to make their move. At some point I dropped back to 4th and decided to make my move up the inside with 150 to go when everyone was wide. I moved past a couple people but got road blocked by the leader who, to my disappointment, didn't swing wide to hold people off. Had that move worked I would have been in the lead with 100m to go with a lot left in the tank. But instead I had to slam on the breaks, drift back to 4th again and make a second move coming off the last turn to pass one more guy and take the third spot at the finish.

I'm pumped and excited about finishing 3rd in the US. And maybe even more excited about my tactics and how my body felt. My body felt great for that last 200m and great afterwards. I am really happy with how the indoor season as a whole panned out. It is a great springboard into the outdoor season. Times weren't important for me for the indoor season this year. I wanted to get some good races in, while working on my tactics and feeling that competitive drive I get when I'm trying to run somebody down. So in all, I accomplished those things and now I'm hungrier than ever to get on the track for outdoor season.

The Bad News:
This weekend I placed third in the 800m at the US Indoor National Championships.

If you're actually reading this you noticed that the bad news was also the good news. Why? Because I got 3rd. There were two people that I didn't beat. One being my teammate who I train with almost every day. I guess it's just the competitive side of me but I don't like to lose. I especially don't like to lose when I feel like I could have won. I can point out things in the race that had they gone different the outcome might have been different. But how I really felt was that I was running well enough and was in good enough shape to win it, and I didn't. So even though I am happy with the outcome overall, I know I could have done better and I can still improve in a lot of ways. With that said, I can use the experience to jump into outdoor season, to continue to motivate me to train hard and do the little things right so next time this situation comes up I will win.

What's Next:

I'm going to take a short break through most of this next week to rest and recoup before heading down to Arizona for a few weeks to get away from Eugene for a bit and get some really good, uninterrupted training in. As for competitions and meets for the outdoor season, I really don't have any idea what my schedule will look like. Over the next few week's I'll sit down with me coach and figure all that out.

By the way if you didn't catch the race on ESPN this weekend you missed me sporting the Oregon Track Club's new uniforms. They are pretty sweet so look for more of that this spring! And thanks to everyone for the support. I got a lot of calls, texts, and messages from a lot of people keeping up with me. Thanks!!

Comment - iDR

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:17:54 +0000

I love OTC elite! one of the girls knows my coach. K.C. and i wish one day to be in it...but its going to be hard. haha

Comment - Tdwrunnerlover

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:06:43 +0000

ima big fan of OTC. i wish to run in eugene one day. one tempo run at a time i suppose.

Comment - ross

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:59:16 +0000

time test 2

Comment - ross

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:58:31 +0000

time test