USU Track team previews nationals at Oregon Invite
The USU track team will compete in the Oregon Invite, one of the largest track meets of the year, in Eugene, Ore., Saturday.
Individuals from more than 25 different teams will compete in the well-known meet, although team scores won’t be taken.
“Eugene is the track capitol of the world,” said head coach Gregg Gensel. “It’s one of the few places you can go where people will pay to watch even if they don’t know any of the competitors. They just come because they know they’ll see a great meet.”
About half of the track team is going to the meet, and Gensel said everyone who goes should do well. He said some of the athletes might qualify for nationals at the invite.
“There’s a good possibility that more will qualify Saturday,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of people really close, so we’ll see how they do.”
Five Aggies have already qualified for the NCAA Championships, which will also be held in Eugene, May 30 to June 2. They are Brick Bergeson, James Parker, Danielle Kot, Joel Johnson and Brett Guymon. Bergeson and Parker have both qualified in two events each.
Gensel said Eugene always has a good crowd, which helps the athletes perform well.
“People will cheer for you whether you’re from the University of Oregon or Utah State,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing.”