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Running with the Ducks

11/17/2015

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Running with the Ducks

My Week at the University of Oregon Track Camp

​       Rays of sunlight were peeking in from behind the trees as we jogged in a single 

file line towards the rock. As we strode closer, it grew dead silent, with the exception of a 

voice belonging to legendary track Coach Pat Tyson. “He was driving along here,” Coach 

Tyson explained, speaking of his college roommate, Steve Prefontaine, “When a car 

came speeding past and he swerved, right into this rock.” The silence was a bit eerie as 

we jogged even closer to a large rock adorned with a plaque and surrounded by shoes, 

medals, race bibs, and notes left in respect to Steve Prefontaine, the legendary runner. It 

was in this silence when I realized that this week I had spent at the University of Oregon 

Track Camp would be one experience that I would remember for a long time. 

      The track camp was led by the coaches and athletes from the University of 

Oregon. Every day, we had two sessions that were three hours long. Being both a 200 

meter runner, and an 800 meter runner, I switched off between the sprinting group and 

the distance group. In the sprinting group, I was surprised to learn how much we focused 

on form, and some days we would spend the whole session without running more than 25 

meters at a time. The distance group usually consisted of a difficult morning session that 

included interval workouts and long runs. In the afternoons however, we went to the 

luxurious Jaqua Student Athlete Center, and enjoyed the refreshing air conditioner and 

Yellow Ferrari Leather Chairs while listening to talks about race plans, pre race rituals 

and training from both the players and the coaches, including 9x NCAA Champion 

Edward Cheserek.

      Immediately following workout sessions, everyone from the broad shouldered 

shot putters to the slender distance runners sat in Hayward Field’s iconic bleachers, while 

listening to a guest speaker. We heard from coaches, athletic trainers, and college 

recruiters, but one of my favorite opportunities was when all of the U of O athletes spread 

out in the bleachers and were available to ask questions one on one. These athletes 

included USA National Champions Jenna Prandini and Marcus Chambers. Between 

workout sessions, campers could be seen engaged in soccer, volleyball or sitting in a 

circle while playing mafia with some of the best athletes in the world. 

      While the training sessions and activities were absolutely amazing, the event that 

stood out from the rest was the Steve Prefontaine run. Led by Gonzaga Head Coach and 

Pre’s college roommate, Coach Tyson, we ran up a series of trails that, he explained, Pre 

would often run up with him as late as 11:30 at night. We wound through a terrain that 

consisted of both woodsy trails and the open road alike. Coach Tyson told stories about 

Pre’s tenacious personality, the trailer the two shared, and about his breath-taking races. 

Eventually, we were lead to a house, that we were told was Steve Prefontaine’s last stop 

before dying in a car accident. We then proceeded to follow the same route Pre took that 

night. From that point, the chatter amongst the runners came to a halt, and the silence of 

the summer day was broken only by Coach Tyson’s commentary and the occasional 

sound of a bird chirping. As we got closer and closer to the rock, we were told of how Pre 

was driving along when a truck came from the opposite direction, right at Steve 

Prefontaine’s car, causing him to swerve off, into the rock wall. Even the birds were 

silent now as the large wall, about 15 feet tall, came into view. It was ornamented with 

running shoes, bibs, figurines and notes explaining how Pre had inspired admirers 

personally.

      My week at the University of Oregon Track Camp was a special experience that 

will not soon fade from memory. Everything that we did was superb, from playing soccer 

with NCAA Champions, to tough training sessions, to hearing stories from Coach Tyson. 

Overall, the camp was a terrific experience and a highlight of my summer. I hope it is 

something I can do again in years to come.
1 Comment
Brigid Kelley
10/22/2015 11:36:15

Hey Jack! Great article. I am so proud of you! Keep it up. See you soon!! xoxo B

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    Jack

    Jack is an 8th grade student who enjoys participating in multiple athletic activities, including cross country, basketball, soccer and track. Jack was recently selected to be a Sports Illustrated Kid Reporter.


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