Bridgmon has no regrets
Former Eagle running at UO as grad student
Now it can be told: There’s a potential downside to recruiting smart, gifted athletes.
They can have opportunities to be smart and accomplished somewhere else.
Eastern Washington had one get away in distance runner Mattie Bridgmon, who had already displaced Eagles great Kari McKay from the record book in one event and was on the verge of more when she finished her degree in exercise science last spring – in just three years on campus. Looking to pursue a graduate degree in human physiology, she was accepted at the University of Oregon – which also happens to be a pretty good school in her other pursuit, as well.
Now she’s an important cog in Oregon’s bid for a women’s team title this week at the NCAA track and field championships in Fayetteville, Ark., bringing the year’s No. 5 time in the 10,000 meters – 33 minutes, 37.73 seconds, more than 3 minutes faster than her EWU best. And because she redshirted one year at Eastern, she’ll be back for another season with the Ducks.
“It’s been great, really,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been improving every race and it’s spectacular running in an atmosphere like Eugene.
“I wouldn’t say there are any regrets in leaving Eastern because of how things have worked out. But there was hesitation. It was hard leaving my friends and teammates there, and I miss them.”
Running scared?
Don’t knock it. It worked for Rich Nelson.
The 2003 Shadle Park graduate was an upset winner of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA West Regional for BYU, qualifying for his first national meet this week in a lifetime-best 8:47.98.
“I’ve never been so nervous in a race in all my life,” said Nelson, still just a junior after a redshirt season and a two-year church mission. “I was a wreck for two days. But I handled it, so if I feel the same way this week I can probably handle it again.”
But even as regional champ, his time ranks him only 15th among national qualifiers – making him even more of an underdog in Fayetteville.
“To be honest, I don’t know if I can run in the 8:30s this year,” he said. “I don’t feel I’m in a position to go win it – but then again, I wasn’t trying to win regionals, either. It just worked out that my game plan was perfect.
“I’m a realist, but I’m also a competitive person and if it’s close and I’m in there, the juices will be flowing.”
Leave it to Barry
Washington State intermediate hurdler Barry Leavitt had his college career interrupted by a mission, too. While Nelson went to Chile, the senior from Benton City drew an assignment to Tahiti.
“When you get that letter,” he admitted, “you hope it’s somewhere cool.”
When he returned, he found himself running in a shadow – first behind All-American John Cassleman, and the last two years behind Jeshua Anderson, who has rewritten the WSU record book in the event. Yet Leavitt is running in his second NCAA meet this week, and has made a big fan in coach Rick Sloan.
“Barry is one tough dude,” Sloan said. “He’s a smart, disciplined runner and a lot stronger than people give him credit for. He races hard every time he puts on the uniform.”
Bell lap
WSU was forced to drop sprinter Marlon Murray from its NCAA contingent after he pulled a hamstring during the 200 meters at regionals. Murray had qualified in both the 100 and 200. … Ryan Crouser of Gresham, Ore., is making a noise in high school throwing circles. Just a sophomore, the son of former Idaho throwing great Mitch Crouser has bests of 66 feet, 3 inches (shot put) and 195-5 (discus) – both No. 2 on the state’s all-time lists. … Bigfoot All-Comers meets continue each Wednesday in June at Spokane Falls Community College at 5:30 p.m., with $2 entry fee for each participant.