For the first time since the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, Duck fans were witness to the speed of De’Anthony Thomas. Only this time Thomas wasn’t donning a helmet and shoulder pads. Led by Thomas’s hat trick performance, the Oregon Track and Field team put on quite a show at Saturday’s Oregon Preview.
De’Anthony Thomas crossing the “finishing line” in Oregon’s win over Kansas State in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl.
Photo: Ross D.Franklin-Associated Press
With the rain pouring on Hayward Field, Duck fans needed something to get them energized and off their feet. They got exactly that with OTC Elite’s Bridget Franek in the women’s 2,000 meter steeplechase. Franek absolutely dominated in her run by posting a new American record time of 6:19.09. After the long drought from her last race of 2012, Franek said it was good to just get out there in a race setting. “It was an opportunity to remind the body how it feels to race. Nice to see how the drills converted into racing,” Franek said.
After Franek’s impressive performance, it was junior Cole Watson’s turn to race the men’s 2,000 meter steeplechase, and he delivered. Watson held the lead from the starting gun to when he crossed the finish line; he finished with a time of 5:57.35.
Franek was extremely impressive in her record breaking performance
Photo: Joseph Hoyt-Lane Today
Thomas first entered the track with the men’s 4×100 and immediately showed why he is one of the fastest sprinters in the nation. Alongside teammates Dior Mathis, BJ Kelley, and Arthur Delaney, the men’s relay team broke a twenty-one year old meet record by recording a 40.35 time on the stopwatch.
Thomas wasn’t close to being done however. The electrifying running back had no problem translating from the turf to the track by coasting in both the 100 meter (10.31) and the 200 meter (21.17). In both races Thomas barely beat out one of his fellow sprinters and football teammates beating Dior Mathis and BJ Kelley.
Thomas crossing the finish line in the men’s 4×100
Photo: Joseph Hoyt-Lane Today
“I’m just happy to be here contributing to the team,” Thomas said. “It’s starting to feel more exciting running track. The crowd is really good. It feels like being at Autzen. Hayward is great for the track team and fans”
In what seemed like the only misstep of the day for the Ducks, the Women’s 4x100m relay dropped the baton, which led to a disqualification.
Despite the rainy and gloomy weather, the preview had an electric atmosphere to start what should be a captivating season.
Sports correspondent Jack Heffernan contributed to this report.
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