CHICAGO, IILLINOIS -- Friday, February 11, was a day that Chicago track and field fans penciled in their calendars long ago. A world record mile was going to be attempted.
Thanks to having a super venue such as the Gately Track & Field Center that was deeply entrenched in the southeast neighborhood known as Pullman, the energy level was at an all-time level.
The afternoon started with a flurry of field events that moved to the 60m/60mH (women) qualifying rounds. The first track action saw two exciting bouts of the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) in which Oregon swept. The women's 600m produced one of the fastest times ever run by senior Aurora Rynda of Michigan. She threw down a blistering 1:27.05 which turned out to be the fourth-fastest time in the college ranks.
Oregon freshman Micah Williams showed some variety in the sprint game, taking the 200m in 21.05. Later it was two tremendous races in the 5000m that put themselves among the best in the country. Both races were won by professional runners: Zach Panning (Hanson-Brooks ODP) 13:36.87 and Natosha Rogers 15:20.43.
Teare and Cooper tear it up:
One of the most anticipated races in a long time anywhere was right here.
High school kids, parents, novices of the sport, and the track nerds filled the Gately building to the ceiling. The energy level was at a fever pitch as recent University of Oregon alum Cooper Teare and Cole Hocker set the stage to take down the legendary Bernard Lagat's American record of 3:49.89.
Pacesetters James West and Matt Wisner were assigned the leading chores and they went out and did their job by opening the first circuit in 58.9. With Teare and Hocker in tow, Wisner took control over the next two circuits, looking at his watch and the scoreboard to assure the pair had a chance in the final quarter-mile.
Michigan State product Morgan Beadlescomb tried a jailbreak attempt on the penultimate lap but he was quickly turned back. Teare roared down the backstretch ahead by a mere few feet. Hocker and Beadlescomb gave chase but they could not reel in Teare who won in a personal best 3:50.17. Hocker also dropped a PB- took home second in 3:50.35. Beadlescomb earns a nice bronze medal in third 3:52.03. Teare ran the second-fastest time ever for an American.