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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 6, 2016)
22 Wednesday, July 6, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Running commentary By charlie kanzig Correspondent If the first few days of the U.S. Olympic Trials are any indication of the superb qual- ity of the American track and field athletes, the remainder of the meet, which began July 1 and concludes July 10, should be equally dazzling. I met with decathlete Ashton Eaton’s high school coach and mentor Tate Metcalf and his wife, Aimee, on day one of the decathlon, Saturday, July 2. Word on the street and in the press hinted that Ashton Eaton was deal- photo by charlie kanzig ing with some minor injuries Ashton Eaton shows his passion after making a pole vault. and his coach Harry Marra made it clear that Eaton had no intention of improving on appreciative crowd, was his 6 feet 5 inches to become his world record in Eugene. most demonstrative moment Olympians. We saw former gold medalists handing over The goal was to get through of the meet. “He was controlled over- the reins to new young stars the meet in one piece, with all, but he certainly showed and we rubbed elbows with the real focus on the Rio his world-class gamesman- track and field luminaries Olympics in mid-August. ship and sportsmanship signing autographs. We got Eaton followed the plan throughout the meet,” said to relish the experience of a well through the first five Metcalf. “He could have number of current and former events. Metcalf said, “He jogged through the final Oregon athletes qualifying is playing it smart simply event, the 1,500, but his for Rio. We even heard one wanting to make it to Rio respect for himself, the fans, former star sing the national unscathed.” and the other competitors anthem. Eaton was still the leader wouldn’t allow for that.” The sport of track and in total points after day one, As for Modin, Metcalf field is fascinating and it does which points to his level of couldn’t have been happier. not take much to become a talent. Not many athletes “He seized on the opportu- fan. As I sat trackside try- could perform “conserva- nity that was given to him. ing to capture a decent photo tively” and still be winning. When an athlete is relaxed of Ashton Eaton, a woman An added bonus for and does not have undue behind me asked her friend, Metcalf was the late addi- pressure they do their best. It “Who is that guy?” tion of Mitch Modin to the She was pointing at Eaton. field of decathletes. Modin, was his hometown track. He was having fun.” I turned and gave her a a junior at the University I ran into some Sisters quick explanation. World of Oregon, also attended track fans Sunday, includ- record-holder, four-time Mountain View High School, ing Sue and Jim Beck, Sally national champion, gold where Tate coached. Taylor, Chris Ambrose, and medalist, from Bend, Oregon. “A spot opened up and the meet organizers wanted Dan Stewart, all of whom I also explained about the to have a full field of 16 ath- seemed to be soaking in the point chart for the decathlon letes, so Mitch accepted the electric atmosphere and the and how the 10 events are elite level of completion. split over two days. invitation,” Metcalf said. Ambrose bought a book She had never been to Modin made the best of from John Carlos, famous for a track meet of any kind, an unbelievable opportunity, his sprint medal in the 1968 but given a bit of context, finishing seventh overall Olympics and even better and surrounded by excited thanks to consistent efforts in known for raising his black- fans, she could soon be all 10 events, including three gloved fist of protest on the heard cheering every pole personal bests. podium. Sue Beck, a diehard vault clearance and groan- Eaton, of course, repeated as the champion, but it was Oregon fan, rejoiced in for- ing with every miss, just not without some struggle. mer Duck English Gardner’s like the rest of the crowd. That’s why you should go After dominating the field in decisive win in the women’s 100. to Eugene. The schedule for the 110 hurdles, despite a sore “What a great day to be a July 7-10 is filled with action. hamstring, Eaton fouled his Duck!” she said. If you don’t make it for the first attempt in the discus and Taylor said, “Being wit- trials, keep in mind Eugene had a poor mark on his sec- ness to the announcer say- hosts the Diamond League ond attempt. He pulled things ing numerous times ‘fastest Prefontaine Classic every together with his final throw or highest or longest in the spring and will be the site for and held off the challengers world this year’ was great, the NCAA Championships for the time being. The pole vault brought another chal- and seeing the decathletes again next year. lenge as Zach Ziemek, who revel together in the steeple- finished third to also qualify chase water pit during their for the Olympics, cleared traditional group lap was 17 feet 2-3/4 inches in the really cool.” Those of us in attendance Quick and pole vault to move closer to got to see two men sail- affordable Eaton. ing over 28 feet in the long relief. But in true “world’s best” Auto accidents, jump, which has never hap- form, Eaton also cleared the workman’s comp. pened in a track meet before. accepted. height on his final attempt to underscore his position as the We watched the grace and one to beat. His reaction after beauty of both an 18-year-old Three Sisters Chiropractic landing in the pit, pumping girl and a 32-year-old mother & Pain Management Dr. Inice Gough, DC | 541.549.3583 his fist in front of a wildly of three high jumping over HEADACHES? — Since 1997 —
