Oregon women smash collegiate indoor DMR record

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Katie Rainsberger said there were a few moments when she was star-struck going to a University of Oregon track and field practice.

“I was like, ‘Oh, there’s Raevyn (Rogers), oh, that’s Ed (Cheserek),” the freshman said. “Now I’m like, ‘Hey Ed, nice job on those 22-second 200s. What do you think about pacing me for my next one?’”

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In her first indoor collegiate race in a Ducks uniform Friday at The Armory in New York City, Rainsberger anchored Oregon to a new all-time collegiate record in the distance medley relay: 10:48.77.

And it wasn’t the end of a spectacular two-hour session for the Ducks on the first day of the Columbia East-West Challenge.

There were only three events contested Friday. Sasha Wallace broke The Armory’s collegiate track record in the 60-meter hurdles with 7.91 seconds. Then Hannah Cunliffe led a 1-2-3 Oregon finish in the 60-meter dash with a lifetime-best 7.13 seconds. Wallace’s time broke a building record set by Brianna Rollins. Cunliffe took down a record held by Kimberlyn Duncan.

The DMR got off to a fast start thanks to Stephanie Schappert of the HOKA New Jersey New York Track Club setting a hot pace. Oregon freshman Lilli Burdon, an Australian who turned 19 on Thursday, stayed with Schappert and passed her to clock 3:20.6 on the opening leg.

Senior Ashante Horsley, making her first visit to New York City, took the stick for the Ducks and gave them a 53.8-second carry.

Then Rogers, a three-time NCAA champion in the 800 meters, ran 2:03.6.

And Rainsberger, still being chased by HOKA NJNYTC until the final two laps, split 4:30.9.

It was the first time together for this lineup and it became the first quartet in collegiate history to break 10:50.

“I think that it was a great experience to run with these girls, to say look what we can do and accomplish together,” Rainsberger said.

Rogers said the team as a whole is intent on doing “big things” in 2017.

“I think this year we’re, as a whole, the most motivated we’ve ever been,” she said. “In the past, I think it was a little more about the Men of Oregon. But we’re trying to make our breakthrough in the sprints, distance and throws.”

One goal that hangs like a carrot is the triple crown – NCAA team titles in all three seasons. The Ducks, led by Rainsberger, locked down the first piece in November with the cross country title.

“The cross country girls set the bar really high and we’re trying to follow them,” Horsley said.

Even the women who ran Friday know that despite the record-setting performance there is no guarantee that the same lineup will compete again because there are so many available interchangeable parts.

“It kinds of depends what happens through the year,” Horsley said. “It’s always strategic and we have a lot of contenders for a lot of different events. But no matter who is on the team the standard and goal is always the same.”

Burdon, like Rainsberger, is still getting used to it.

“It’s so inspiring to be on a team with so many strong competitors,” Burdon said. “It’s really motivating and we’re lucky to have each other.”

In the men’s events, Cheserek sped away from the HOKA NJNYTC squad on the anchor of the DMR and ran a blistering 3:54.6 split. Oregon ran 9:30.86 for the win.

In the 60-meter dash, Oregon’s Kyree King, a redshirt senior and transfer from Western Kentucky, ran 6.62 seconds for the win.

In the 60-meter hurdles, UCLA’s Misana Viltz ran 8.02 for the victory.