Daniel Watcke enters the transfer portal, leaving Oregon

Seriously. How is it for the athletes based there? I remember the trainer handing out Zyrtec on the flight over for NCAAs.

Who enjoys running in rain every day, getting soaked in the process? I don't. Beyond that, coach Jerry isn't a fit for many. HS kids should not choose Oregon just because of tradition. They need to ask detailed questions about the training and racing opportunities. Many excellent high school distance guys have disappeared at Oregon. A few outstanding successes and a ton of misses.

Anyone have any insight where he might go?

I wouldn't trust any of the answers here, they could be trolls.

Who the he'll is

Univ of Michigan could be a good fit. Great facilities & coaching. Close to home. Family ties. Possibly a winning combination long term.

Wisco - sister is there and it’s a perfect fit and closer to home

Jerry probably put him in a 100mpw, 20mi tempo diet.

Lots at Oregon over the last year I wouldn’t judge an athlete for complaining about or having a problem with, but if an 800 runner decides in November that they want out, hard to hold that against the program

Any confirmation where Watke is heading?

No decision made yet.

I am curious what caused the transfer.

Morale has to be super low at Oregon. They were 7th in the regional, despite having arguably the best freshmen class on the men's side.

Despite being deep with talent, the women's team finished 18 pts above a school many of us have never even heard of at NCAA's. (Lipscomb - only recruits in the U.S. as well, where Oregon has at least 2 international students in their top 5)

Villanova according to stride report. The question is why, half of their team is gone in the next year.

The program has been going downhill for a few years. It's seems like there's no real team at Oregon. A couple of guys might compete at one invitational, and it's inconsistent, spotty. The coach is a weirdo. He is or was trying to balance the Univ. of Oregon teams with the pro team he was coaching. Certainly not the glory days of Bill Bowerman or Bill Dellinger. I would not go there if I were a star high school distance runner. Lots of disappearing acts; HS stars who vaporize in Eugene. And I think the coach is largely responsible for managing and creating the culture. So far, he's been a failure.

I would really like to see him go to A&M. They seem to be the best at developing young 400/800 stars, and I said last year Watcke is the closest thing to this class's Donovan Brazier. Strong XC and mile results paired with an incredible 400m time, maybe slightly underperformed at 800m in high school but all the tools to run 1:42-1:43.

Btw, Brazier and Watcke are the only high schoolers EVER to run under 48 seconds for 400 AND 4:10 for 1600.

True but other guys could have done it. Brandon Miller could have easily done it.

Brandon Miller barely ran a sub-4:10 equivalent in college when he was a 1:44 guy. It's harder than it seems.