Where Your Dreams Become Reality
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Where Your Dreams Become Reality |
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Marc Davis Comments on Galen Rupp's Oregon Debut Editor's Note: Marc Davis is a former Kinney (Footlocker) High School XC National Champion, NCAA and USATF Champion at 5000m and the steeplechase, and the current American record holder for 2 miles. One of the most talented and accomplished runners of his generation, Marc currently works for Nike and has his own coaching service at lap2go.com. Getting into Eugene around 3:00pm, there was just enough time to go for a bit of a jog. Of course when in Track Town, you have to run the Pre Trail. In about a month it will have been 30 years since the untimely death of legendary University of Oregon runner Steve Prefontaine. Pre died in a car crash just up in the hills above the school grounds, and even after all this time, you cannot run these trails without feeling his presence. I even took a trip up the hill to Pre's Rock to pay my respects, and once again apologize for the hasty remarks of the past. I wonder just how many distance runners around here knew that tonight history was being made. The prodigal son has finally arrived home. Tonight Galen Rupp was finally going to be a Duck. And no matter what your opinion of the eligibility rule, the NCAA has finally decided to give Galen the right to compete. End of debate. Now, let's just see what this kid can do. I talked to his coach this afternoon, and asked if I could do a Before & After interview. But he informed me that after being grilled by the NCAA on Friday for over 4 hours that it would be best to wait till after the race to get the scoop. So I did what everyone who came to Hayward Field tonight did. I waited, and then I waited some more. Event by event was completed, but we all knew why we were here tonight. You could honestly feel the magic in the air. It had been raining all day long, and just like the stories when Pre made the sun come out, it miraculously stopped pouring down just as the distance races began. The wind died, and it was time for the big show. Rupp came onto the track in the mist of a roar of cheers. The stands were packed with eager Duck historians. Parents who remembered the times Pre burned up the track, and their children who have never gone through a Duck track season without hearing the infamous stories. But tonight was not about the past. It was about the future of the University of Oregon Track and Field program. And that future was in the hands of a shaggy haired, bright-eyed Portland teenager. One who wore the burden of days gone by. But talking to Galen, you knew he was ready. Not necessarily to become what a town wanted, but what a town needed. Glory, guts, and something to look forward to on Saturday night. As the runners were calmly introduced, the nerves began to tremble. Ladies and Gentleman. He set national records at 2000 meters, 3000 meters, and 5000 meters. Making his debut as an Oregon Duck, please welcome Galen Rupp!. The fans went nuts. Flash bulbs exploded, and the energy ignited the meet. I could barely keep my video camera steady as the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up. Just moments later, On your marks, get set, bang!. And just like that, Galen Rupp had begun the journey. Like the days of Prefontaine, Rupp started out as a Duck runner with nothing short of suspense and drama. Two thousand meters into the men's 5000 meter race, the second place runner collided with the rabbit, and in turn tripped up Rupp. He tried to balance himself for about 10 meters, but gravity took its toll. Just past the starting line, Rupp was down. Quickly bouncing back up, he found himself in 12th place; over 30 meters back from his original position. It was as if the wind was sucked out of every person in the stands. But just like the days of Duck glory, Galen fought back. After ripping off 3 laps of 62 and 63 second quarters, he was right back in the hunt. The crowd was going crazy. You could almost even imagine that this was planned. As if you were seeing a tall tale actually being played out . One that was to be told for generations to come. But just then reality set it. This is still only an 18 year old kid. And this is still only the beginning. Rupp got back up as far as 4th place, but in the end it was a just too much to make up. Finishing his first race as an Oregon runner in 5th place was maybe not what the fans came to see. But they were given something else they were craving for Guts! I had the chance to sit down with Galen just after the race, and here's what he had to say, not only about the race, but about how he's being received here at the U of O. Marc Davis (MD): What happened in the race? Galen Rupp (GR): I don't know really. All I know is the guy in front of me fell, and I tried to step around him, but it was too late. This was actually the first time I've ever fallen in a race, so it was a little bit of a shock. But I remember Alberto (Salazar) always told me that if you fall you can't just sprint and make it all up at once. I tried to make it up gradually. I don't know. I just didn't have it today. MD: How did that affect your race overall? GR: Hey, I'm not going to tell you that I felt great after that. But I don't want to use that as an excuse or anything. I actually just didn't feel my best today. But it was just good to be here, and run for the U of O. It was great having the fans out here; clapping and cheering for me really loud. I just look forward to more races out here, and with my training I know it's only going to get better. You really don't want this to happen in your first race. But these things happen. I guess its better here than at the NCAA meet. MD: How were you feeling going into the race? GR: Well, it's been a really stressful time. Yesterday I had to talk to the NCAA for about 4 hours. But I guess I am just glad to be eligible, so that's a big relief. But when I came out of class today, I saw that my tires were slashed on my car. So I guess it's been kind of rough. But I am just happy to be running. But I don't have excuses for how I ran tonight. All those other guys ran really well. MD: Your tires were actually slashed on your car? GR: Yeah, I came out of class and they were flat. I don't know what happened. But that's not an excuse. MD: How was the pace set up for tonight? GR: Well, it was okay. We wanted to go faster. But once the fall happened, it was different for me. But I have always learned that no matter what the pace, you need to compete. If it's slow, it's slow. You just got to race. I think I showed some character today. I think I could have finished a little harder. But I did what I could. MD: How do you see the rest of the season going for you? GR: I honestly think it's just going to get better from here. I'll use this as a stepping stone. I am running a 10k in two weeks at the Twilight Meet here at Oregon. And when the NCAA meet comes around, I plan to be at my best. Everything else is just a buildup and preparation work. Again, this was a new experience for me to fall, and so now I know how to deal with it in the future. MD: How do you hope to influence the future of University of Oregon Track and Field? GR: I just hope to get this town back into track and field. Like the old days back in the 60's and 70's, when people wanted to come to track meets because it was a fun thing to do on a Saturday night. I think we have a lot of good athletes on the team already. The sprints and jumps are just about as good as they've ever been. I think right now we have a well rounded team, and I think it just going to get better in the future. One thing can certainly be said about this young man. He has a burden on his shoulders that I would never wish on my worst enemy. And believe me, I had a few of those in my lifetime. But I can also attest that this is one classy runner. Sure, he's been thrown into the middle of heated debates over eligibility and corporate influence in college athletics. However, he seems to treat this situation with a calm mind, and a hopeful spirit. Something I would wish for with my best of friends. So no matter what happens in the future for Galen Rupp, one thing you can rest assure on. For the next 4 years, at least a portion of the spirit of Pre will be back on the track at Hayward Field. And for that alone, we should all be jealous if we're not living in Track Town, USA.
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