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
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