Oregon Women Take Hit in Missed Opportunities in 100, 200 and 1,500 Meters and 4x100 Relay

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

The women of Oregon came into the outdoor season as heavy favorites to win the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June. But after a few missed opportunities in the sprints, relays and middle distance events, Oregon's margin for error has dropped, giving teams like Arkansas and Georgia a chance to close the gap.

The Ducks are two-thirds of the way toward the collegiate triple crown, having already won NCAA titles in cross country and indoor track and field. While they narrowly won the former and ran away with the latter, they appeared even stronger for the outdoor season.

However, competing at the NCAA Division 1 West Outdoor Preliminary in Austin, Texas, last weekend, the Ducks failed to advance several key athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Championships to be held June 7-10 in Eugene, Oregon.

On Friday, the second day of the three-day meet, Junior Hannah Cunliffe did not start in 100 and 200 meters due to hamstring tightness according to the Register-Guard. Previously, Cunliffe sat out several mid-season meets as she recovered from a severe illness. She did not run an individual qualifying time until the Pac-12 Outdoor Championships two weeks ago. Teammates Ariana Washington and Deajah Stevens did advance. This is the second straight year Cunliffe has missed the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

The sprint news got worse on Saturday. Oregon's 4x100 relay was disqualified for passing the baton outside the exchange zone. Earlier in the year, with Cunliffe on the team, Oregon set the NCAA record in the event. LSU later tied that mark.

Oregon also only managed to get one of the four entrants in the women's 1,500 meters through to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Katie Rainsberger, a freshman, was the only Duck to qualify through, leaving Oregon thin in the event.

Arkansas and Georgia, on the other hand, came through the preliminaries in fine form and could challenge the Ducks for the NCAA title.

"Above and beyond what we predicted," Arkansas coach Lance Harter said to Nate Allen of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette of how his team performed in Austin.

Two athletes of particular note that qualified were Nikki Hiltz and Therese Haiss, both transfers from Oregon, in the 1,500 meters.

Of course, even with the point margin likely closing, Oregon still has one major advantage. The NCAA Outdoor Championships are held at Oregon's home facility, Hayward Field. The home field advantage could be enough to put the Oregon women atop the podium.