Ducks head to nationals Oregon men’s cross country and womerfc qualifier Carrie Zografbs run in today’s NCAA Championships meet Cross Country Mindi Rice Freelance Sports Reporter After finishing second to Stanford in its past two meets, the sixth ranked men’s cross country team knows exactly where it needs to be during the NCAA Championships. “We can use them as a reference point in the race,” redshirt sopho more Ryan Andrus said. “They’re a talented team and obviously the fa vorite to win and should have five or six guys up front.” The Ducks will race against Stan ford and 29 other teams in Terre Haute, Ind., during today’s NCAA meet. “National races are always intimi dating,” Andrus said. “You have to be ready to play, and speaking for the team, we’re confident and excited about the challenge this year.” Senior Jason Hartmann, who fin ished second individually in both the Pacific-10 Conference Champi onships and the Western Regional Championships this year, will pace the Oregon men. Andrus has been right behind Hartmann in both races. “Ryan has run aggressively this year and has really lifted his level,” men’s head coach Martin Smith said. “He and Jason run their own individ ual races and find their own level in each race, and I don’t think anything will change in this meet. They have different running styles which is good in some ways that they don’t have to rely on each other if they won’t or can’t.” Also running for Oregon will be juniors Brett Holts and Noel Paulson, redshirt junior John Lucas, redshirt sophomore Eric Logsdon, redshirt freshman Will Viviani and freshman Shane Ahlers. Hartmann, a native of Rockford, Mich., has family and friends coming to the meet. “It’s not quite a homefield advan tage, but it’ll be nice to have them, there,” Hartmann said. “I’m sure all the guys on the team will benefit from their cheering.” On the women’s side, redshirt sen ior Carrie Zografos earned an indi vidual spot in the meet, and will also compete in today’s meet. “She has a great chance to do well, and will probably use her best tactic so far — to get out but stay relaxed, and then run up through the pack,” women’s head coach Tom Heinonen said. “It’s a fast course and also has some hills — things she likes. She’s much more confident and ready to go this time around.” Zografos will be the third individ ual who has qualified for Heinonen in the four years his team has not. Men's continued from page 7 “We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” Ridnour said. “It was fun to get a chance to get out there.” If there was one area of concern for the Ducks after Sunday’s victory, it was in the rebounding category. Ore gon was outrebounded 51-48 by a team with a roster that included one 6 foot-9-inch player and two 6-foot-8 inch players as its tallest members. “We’ve got to block out more,” Ridnour said. “We’ve got make that an emphasis, because that keys our fTUBENT NIGHT 15% ALL FOOD our met Cafe Food Deli Sandwiches Salads & Wraps Awesome Desserts Over a Dozen Seers Fly ing Dogs Cafe C Peli 1249 Alder • 344-1960 4pm—Midnight whole running game.” Davis, listed at 5-feet-10 inches, led the Ducks’ rebounding effort along with forward Robert Johnson. Both players had seven rebounds. But the Ducks, who held the Tigers to 26-percent shooting on the night, were more excited about their defense than worried about their rebounding. And as the team unfurled last sea son’s Pac-10 Championship banner before the game, Oregon proved that defense will be key to the defense of that title. Contact the sports editor atpeterhockaday@dailyemerald.com. Complete 'Sm Selection feji oft * Skis fli -Boots f A • Clothing • Ski Rentals Betq’//hifho 13th & Lawrence* Eugene • 683-1300 www.bergsskishop.com buy, Trade, and Consign NEW AND USED Sports and Exercise SNOWBOARDS Skateboards Bicycles Golf Equipment < Scooters Fitness Equipment Soccer Equipment 2598 Willamette St. Eugene, OR • 342-4041 M-F: 10-7 Sat: 9-6 Sun: 12-5 IT AGAIA This is Heinonen’s last season lead ing the women harriers. Both Zografos and the men’s squad have spent the season prepar ing for the national meet. “It’s a whole new ball game at na tionals,” Hartmann said. “It’s impor tant to get out and feel confident, compete the whole way, and hang on at the end.” Mindi Rice is a freelance writer for the Emerald. cpfiare Oft)trade become C25 Burritos #£ TacoslEMChuem & a Coke 510 East Broadway (Campus) • 30 West 10th • 2511 West 11 th Ave • 943 River Rd You are invited to apply! 2 Bedroom Apartments in Spencer View and Westmoreland and Houses in East Campus are now available! If you are a UO student AND The parent/guardian of a child OR A graduate student OR At least 2) years old Call 346-4277 Log on to www.housing.uoregon.edu or Stop by the University Housing office (Walton Complex on the corner of 15th and Agate) UNIVERSITY OF OREGON An EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity