Posted February 24, 2018 at 09:44 AM | Updated February 25, 2018 at 07:46 AM
By Ken Goe
A couple things ...
-- I profiled Oregon Olympian Ariana Washington in January. At the time, Washington talked candidly of wrestling with her decision about whether to turn professional last year, and about the mental and physical toll of competing indoors, outdoors and as part of the 2017 U.S. team in the World Outdoor Championships.
Here is that story,
Yesterday, Washington was the fastest non-qualifier for the 60-meter final at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Indoor Championships at Seattle's Dempsey Indoor. She didn't enter the 200.
To this point, Washington has not qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in either the 60 or the 200. At least year's NCAA Indoor, Washington won the 200 and was third in the 60.
The qualifying window closes today. Unless one of yesterday's qualifiers for the MPSF 60 final scratches, Washington's opportunity to make this year's NCAA Indoor will have come and gone
It would be another blow to the Ducks' chances of successfully defending their women's indoor national title.
The MPSF Indoor wraps up today. Here is the schedule. Here where to go for results.
-- Major college basketball has been rocked this week by bombshell allegations of under-the-table payments to players. Arizona coach Sean Miller, who is in Eugene today with the Wildcats to play Oregon, allegedly has been caught on an FBI wiretap talking about paying center Deandre Ayton.
If this turns out to be true, it's an ugly example of college athletics at its worst.
But it's not always like that.
This week, I profiled Oregon senior Sam Prakel, who is all business, on the track and in the classroom.
Prakel is a threat to win this year's NCAA indoor mile, but first must defend his honors thesis in Biochemistry.
Prakel embodies the NCAA ideal. He excels academically and athletically, steers clear of trouble and is a credit to his sport, his school and his family.
OK, more links:
Oregon's Carmela Cardama Baez wins the 5,000 at the MPSF Indoor Championships.
Ducks win two titles on the first day of the MPSF Indoor.
Matt Welch and Gabriel Haughey climb the University of Portland's career indoor 5,000 list.
Oregon State's Holly Cavalluzzo takes down the school record in the 5,000.
Paul Merca: Washington's Chase Smith successfully defends his MPSF indoor pole vault title.
Big finish propels Portland State's Donte Robinson to the Big Sky heptathlon title.
Snowy winter weather sends Ryan Vail from Portland to Santa Cruz as he trains for this year's Boston Marathon.
Jonathan Marcus: Hassan Mead of Oregon Track Club Elite demonstrates the importance of valuing the experience.
Francine Niyonsaba of Oregon Track Club Elite will head the team from Burundi at the World Indoor Championships.
Four athletes accept invitations to join the previously announced U.S. team for this year's World Indoor Championships.
Reigning world indoor 60 hurdles champ Omar McLeod will skip this year's indoor championships.