Cheserek and Jenkins Lead Oregon To 2015 National Championship

More from Autzen Zoo

When the day began the Oregon Ducks had a substantial lead in the Team Competition leading the Florida Gators 40-16. It would take a big effort for Florida to move up and takeover from Oregon, of course forty points is not that hard to do, it can be done with four events. Oregon would need to finish in the top, or toward the top positions throughout the evening to claim back to back NCAA Championships.

On the first event of the day for the Gators, the 4×100, Florida came in sixth place which was not a good start. After one event Florida was jumped by USC for 2nd place. The Trojans came in with 20 points after one event, the Gators were back to 3rd with 19.

Oregon would get a third place finish from Blake Haney in the 1500 Meter Final and a second place finish from Johnathan Cabral in the 110 Meter Hurdles final go get to 54 points. Arkansas would be the team to make the move getting to within twelve of Oregon with six events to go on the day.

Robert Johnson saw his team maintain their lead until the 5000 meters and Oregon did not disappoint in the event. The Ducks saw three finish in the top five including Sophomore Edward Cheserek with a first place, two other Ducks finished second and fourth with Eric Jenkins placing just behind Cheserek and Senior Will Geoghegan finishing fourth to give Oregon the 2015 Title of Men’s National Champion. It was the second year in a row that the Ducks won the title.

Until last year it has been thirty years since the Oregon Men won a title in Track and Field. Johnson and the coaches did a great job conditioning the Oregon Athletes for this new format for 2015. Cheserek took home the title for two events, with the 5000 meters and 10000 meters.