XO Ends Successful Season at USATF Outdoor Nationals

By Kevin Ullman

XO Ends Successful Season at USATF Outdoor Nationals

Indianapolis, IND– June 25 2006 - Nine athletes qualified but two (Leonidas Watson – long jump and triple jump, and Adam Kriz – hammer throw) were unable to attend. The seven who did make the trip to Indianapolis, IN were rewarded with mixed results but most came away from extremely positive seasons.

Led by Simi Adeagbo in the women’s triple jump and Nikki McEwen in the women’s pole vault, XO once again flexed its muscles in the field events. Simi made a huge leap from last years thirteenth place finish as she jumped to a fifth place finish at this years meet. “I am very pleased with my highest placing ever at the Outdoor Championship,” said Simi. “I wanted to get a [personal record] as well but all in all it was a good day.” Simi’s jump came during a frustrating round of jumps where she fouled half of her attempts due to thunderstorms that kept meet officials uncertain about jumping conditions. The big one came on her fourth jump of the competition when she sailed out to 13.25 meters (43-05.75).

McEwen soared in the women’s pole vault to a sixth place finish at 4.30 meters (14-01.25), up from her last appearance at a national championships with XO, a fifteenth place finish at 4.10. Prior to the meet she said, “I’m hoping to finally go over 15 feet in a meet this year, I think this is going to be the time to do it.” McEwen, who has been over 15’ in practice and jumped a pr of 4.45meters (14-07.25) this season at the Victoria Int., will be content with her continued growth and her placement in the event after thunderstorms delayed the event for several hours.

Elsewhere on the infield, hammer thrower Cari Soong and high jumper Kyley Johnson, struggled in their events. “Truth is, I just wasn’t in as good a shape as I was last year,” said Soong, who recently started a new job and has had to readjust her training schedule. Johnson, feeling her pain, arrived in Indianapolis after a six-week job training session away from home with his new job. “I was unable to practice at all during that time,” said Johnson, “I just came here hoping for the best.”

On the track, steeplechasers Jane Rudkin and Max King both advanced to finals. “During prelims, I basically jogged the 10:18. It felt that good!” said Rudkin who went on to place ninth in finals. “I thought the time would be faster in the final and was hoping for top 6.” King fared almost equally as well with his eleventh place finish in the final. “I just didn’t feel great in the prelim or final,” said King. “I got disconnected from the lead pack and just stayed there.” King, who is focusing on doing big things in Europe will be traveling there on a USATF grant. “I’m excited about Europe, but as far as Nationals is concerned, with the injury this spring, I really can’t complain.”

Former Duck, Eric Logsdon made his U.S. Outdoor debut with XO in the men’s 5000. “I thought I was going to run better after running that 13:57 two weeks before. It just didn’t happen today,” said Logsdon whose sub-14:00 outing came in the PacifiCanada Series leading up to Nationals.

“This was by far the best overall year of track and field XO has seen,” said Team XO Director Ross Krempley. “Every aspect of Team XO is better than the year before. Its growth continues to amaze me. This can only be done with the added professionalism of the team members and with the help of the entire track and field community in Eugene. A special thanks goes to the University of Oregon, Lane Community College, the Oregon Track Club, Eugene Running Company, Nike, and Sporthill. The goal has been and will always be to bring the community together with the University of Oregon being center stage in Eugene. We just hope that everything Team XO does will continue to compliment the Eugene track and field community to help return U of O and Eugene to its previous glory.”