by Kari Westlund

More than 350 members were on hand for the Oregon Track Club annual dinner on February 7, which was dedicated to the memory of Geoff Hollister. By the end of the evening, the cur­rent state of affairs in TrackTown had everyone pumped up for the future.

A quick look back by past president Kari Westlund confirmed a solid base to work from, with membership at a record level and new pro­grams well received. The board of directors was elected by members present and includes many returning board members with several new faces introduced in this newsletter. Officers of the board were introduced and include Bill Kelly as president, Dick Lamster as vice president, Christina Newland as treasurer, Barbara Kousky as secretary, Shivaun Black as Masters presi­dent, and Kari Westlund as past president.

The treasurer’s report confirmed an active year, with revenues up and reserves strong. The board was proud to announce a payment of $25,000 toward an endowed track scholarship in OTC’s name.

Associate Athletic Director Vin Lananna in­troduced coaches and athletes, including Travis Thompson and English Gardner, who spoke about the strength of the UO men’s and women’s teams, and attendees met UO Track Program staff Jody Smith, Jill Steele, and Alex Whipple.

OTC Elite Coach Mark Rowland shared a heart thumping highlight video and the tremendous accomplishments made by the Elite team in 2011, bringing the audience to the conclusion that there is no better place to live if you are a track fan, than right here in TrackTown, USA.

And then, OTC Elite athlete Lauren Fleshman

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Business Members ............ 2, 3President’s Message .............3New Board Members ............ 4Vin Lananna ..............................5M A S T E R S N E W S L E T T E R !Pre Classic Tickets ................. 6OTC Elite Update..................... 6New Faces .................................7In Memory ................................. 8

MARCH 2012

Record Turnout for Annual Dinner

Incoming OTC president Bill Kelly thanks outgoing president Kari Westlund for her service to the club.

Continued on Page 2

Thanks to all who partici-pated in the inaugural OTC run/walk series in 2011. We look forward to seeing ev-eryone again along with new participants.

The first 2012 event is a 5K at 6pm on Thursday, March 8 in Alton Baker Park, Shelter #1. It’s free for OTC members and $5 for non-members. Reg-istration starts at 5pm and you can renew your member-ship or join OTC there. By doing all the events, you will save $40, improve your fitness, and make many new friends.

If you do not want to run or walk, you can volunteer to help with race logistics (e.g., regis-tration, timing, course mar-shal). Again this year we have awards for those participating and/or volunteering in most of the events and some new twists, like age-graded perfor-mance awards for the series.

Contact Celeste Kuta at celestekuta@gmail.com if you are interested in volun-teering for any of these eight events.

Next Run/Walk Set for March 8

Lauren Fleshman mixes with the crowd at the Annual Meeting.

2

OnTrack MARCH 2012

We want to thank all the OTC business members who have renewed for 2012. Thank you for supporting all the Club’s projects and programs.

In additional to our Basic Business Mem­bership, the Club began offering two new enhanced business membership categories: Champion and Supporter. These expanded memberships include some additional ben­efits including the ability to advertise in the OTC newsletter for a limited period at no charge.

The OTC Board of Directors would like to thank those businesses who have increased their support of the Club by renewing their membership in one of the new categories.

Our Champion and Supporter members as of the end of February:

CHAMPION MEMBERSBank of America, Ron Farmer, 201 E. 11th

Street, 2nd Floor, www.bankofamerica.com/Jones and Roth, CPAs and Business

Advisors, 432 W. 11th Street, www.jrcpa.comNeurospine Institute, 74B Centennial

Loop, Suite 100, www.neurospinellc.com/Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Eu-

gene, www.pepsi.com/Slocum Orthopedics, 55 Coburg Road,

www.slocumcenter.com/

SUPPORTER MEMBERSCameron McCarthy Landscape

Architects and Planners, 160 E. Broadway, www.cameronmccarthy.com/

Cooperative Performance & Rehabili-tation, LLC, 1711 Willamette St., Suite 302, www.cprphysicaltherapy.com/

Eugene Physical Therapy, LLC, 54 Oakway Center, www.eugenept.com/

Geoff & Therese Hughes at Wells Fargo Advisors, 975 Oak Street, Suite 975

Imagine Group, 990 Garfield Street, www.imaginegroup.com/

National Fire Fighter, www.nationalfirefighter.com

Run Momma Run, www.runmommarun.comValley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way,

www.valleyriverinn.com/The new business memberships are avail­

able at any time during the year. Email info@oregontrackclub.com for business member­ship information.

American Cancer SocietyAxis Physical Therapy & Rehab., Inc.BANK OF AMERICA ­ CHAMPION MEMBERBest Westerns of EugeneBlackburn & Company CateringBob Heitstuman ConstructionBrown Contracting, Inc.Byrke Beller MD, - Pacific Women’s CtrCafé 522Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architects and Planners ­ Supporter MemberCascade DermatologyChambers Construction CompanyChvatal OrthodonticsClinic of Natural MedicineCompetition Not ConflictCooperative Performance & Rehab, LLC ­ Supporter MemberCurtis Restaurant EquipmentCustom OrthoticsD2000 Safety, Inc.Dave Henry Real Estate Services, Inc.David E. Carmichael, AttorneyDouglas Gallagher Law OfficeDr. W. Gray Grieve OrthodonticsDunes Family Health CareEclectic Edge RacingEugene AirportEugene Hilton Hotel and Conference CenterEugene Physical Therapy, LLC ­ Supporter Member Eugene Running ClubEugene Running CompanyEugene Wellness CenterEugene, Cascades & Coast SportsEuropean Touch Painting CoFiddler’s Green Golf CenterFitness Link, Inc.Frank RoomeFranklin R. Lulich, CPA, P.C.Garden Way Chiropractic CenterGeoff & Therese Hughes at Wells Fargo Advisors ­ Supporter MemberGleaves Swearingen Potter & Scott LLPHandy Ed ConstructionHome Federal BankHutchinson, Cox, Coons, DuPriest, Orr & Sherlock, P.C.Imagine Group ­ Supporter MemberJeff Goldenberg, MD / South Town Family MedicineJohn L. Stringer D.D.S.JONES AND ROTH, CPAS AND BUSINESS ADVISORS ­ CHAMPION MEMBERKalen Electric & Machinery Co. Inc.

Business Members Thank You, Business Members

shared her ability to dream big and inspired ev­eryone in attendance to do the same in a pow­erful keynote address. Articulate, warm and thought­provoking, Lauren provided insights to what drives her, and tied many unique at­tributes of TrackTown together in her presen­tation, which can be seen via links on OTC’s Facebook page or at runnerspace.com.

A big thank you to the OTC hospitality com­mittee for the care and feeding of OTC mem­bers at the annual dinner, and to the many volunteers who helped with check­in, mer­chandise and more.

Annual MeetingContinued from Page 1

Eugene Marathon Preview Run March 25

The Eugene Marathon has scheduled a pre­view run on March 25 that covers the final sections of the full marathon course. The run is non­competitive with no times or awards.

The run starts at 8am outside Hayward Field, corner of Agate and 15th Street. Water and Gatorade provided at the start, finish and one aid station along the route. Bring your old shoes to be recycled.

OTC is a proud partner of the Eugene Mara­thon. The Marathon and Half Marathon are scheduled for Sunday, April 29. For details, visit www.eugenemarathon.com.

3

OREGON TRACK CLUBwww.oregontrackclub.org

Business Members

by Bill Kelly, OTC president

2012 will be the year of track and field in TrackTown USA! In addi­tion to our outstanding University of Oregon home meets and the very first PAC 12 Con­ference Championships in May, we will host the Prefontaine Classic and the USA Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field in June.

As the Local Organizing Committee we have proudly organized more track and field Olympic Trials than any other city in the U.S. While we are justifiably gratified by past accomplishments, we strive to build on them. This year’s TrackTown 12 market­ing committee has identified five pillars which serve as the foundation of an effort to carry our heritage forward.

• Performance – We know the Olympic Tri­als athletes will perform magnificently. The track meet June 22 ­ July 1 will provide in­delible images that will be remembered for years. Fans will create ear­piercing noise, officials will ensure a fair, unbiased com­petition, volunteers will do their jobs with smiles and enthusiasm, and locals will an­swer questions from tourists with friendli­ness and understanding. Everyone’s perfor­mance is part of TrackTown USA.

• Innovation - Bill Bowerman, who helped create the Oregon Track Club was known as an innovator. From making track shoes for his athletes to designing the first all­weather tracks to bringing the idea of jogging to American, he was a pioneer. We launched the Fan Festival at the 2008 Olympic Trials, inviting the entire commu­nity to experience the atmosphere around Hayward Field and watch the action on big­screen TVs. This year’s Festival will be big­

ger, better, and even more inventive.• Legacy of Hayward Field – Since 1921

this home of track and field excitement has produced incredible energy. With constant improvement throughout the years, a new track surface poured since last track sea­son and new seats in the West Grandstand, this Carnegie Hall of track and field venues is ready to draw more rave reviews.

• Community – TrackTown USA is a brand our community can be proud of. We hope to envelope not only the Eugene/Springfield area and Lane County in this moniker, but all of Oregon. Our sport has the potential to advance in business, broadcast and fan support and we can be at the leading edge of this growth.

• Sustainability – The 2008 Trials were awarded the International Olympic Commit­tee’s award for the Most Sustainable Event. From transportation to composting to re­cycling to generating our own energy, this year’s plans exceed results accomplished four years ago. We intend to once again show the world how sustainability can be accomplished during a multi­day event.

These are wonderful times for the sport in our community. We’ll be able to look back and recall the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Trials as moments of great performances, inno­vative ideas, and showcases for who and what we are. The most important thing we can leave behind is the desire for succeed­ing generations to outdo what we’ve done and drive the sport further ahead.

Purchase your tickets for the Olympic Tri­als. Join us in what promises to be a land­mark event and time in our proud history. All session packages are still available and OTC members are offered special consider­ation. Go to www.gotracktownusa.com to learn more. Join us for the Greatest Meet Ever in the Greatest TrackTown Ever!

One Track Mind: Pillars of Our HeritageKathleen Dugan LMTKelly G. Higgins, Financial Advisor, LPL FinancialKenneth Vendley Insurance & Financial ServicesKernutt Stokes LLPKevin ColuccioKVAL-TVLane Regional Air Protection AgencyLet’s Move Fitness, LLCLile/Eugene Moving & StorageLocklear Leatherworks LLCMike FanelliNational Fire Fighter ­ Supporter MemberNEUROSPINE INSTITUTE ­ CHAMPION MEMBERNewman’s Fish CompanyOrton Consulting Group, IncOslund DesignPacific Continental BankPEPSI­COLA BOTTLING COMPANY OF EUGENE ­ CHAMPION MEMBERPostal PharmacyPrichard Partners, Inc.Random LengthsRBC Wealth Management, Todd G. BosworthRexius Forest By-ProductsRogue Valley Fitness TrainingRon K. Ewert, DDS, PCRogue Ales/Track Town Ales ­ Supporter MemberRun Momma Run ­ Supporter MemberRunnin’ WildSapient Private Wealth Management CompanySightline Property InspectionsSLOCUM ORTHOPEDICS, PC ­ CHAMPION MEMBERSportsOne, Inc.Springfield Area Chamber of CommerceTaylor Made Homes, Inc.The Carpet CompanyThe Innovative Print Group, Inc.Track Town Ales ­ Supporter MemberTrack Town Massage TherapyTracktown PhotoTracktownsoftware.comTrips, Inc.Tyree Oil, Inc.Univera, Molly EnglandUniversity of Oregon Bookstore/The Duck StoreValley River Inn ­ Supporter MemberWildish Land CompanyWilliam P. Maier, MD PCWorld Wheelchair Sports

4

OnTrack MARCH 2012

James CoonsJames Coons has been an attorney in Eu­

gene for 33 years and a member of OTC nearly that long. He has served for many years as Managing Partner of the firm of Hutchinson, Cox, Coons, DuPriest, Orr, and Sherlock and his law practice emphasizes small business­es, trademarks and estate planning. His back convinced him (most reluctantly) several years ago to stop running but he is an avid hiker, biker and swimmer.

Tucker DaviesTucker Davies has been a Certified Mov­

ing Consultant with Lile­Eugene Moving and Storage for 27 years. He has served numer­ous roles in the community including: Past President of Oregon Club, Lane County Alumni Association, and a volunteer for two decades with the Duck Athletic Fund. He was also the Active 20­30 National President and Board Chair of Travel Lane County. Currently, Tucker is the President of Delta Rotary. He has been a member of OTC for 20 years.

John GillespieJohn returns to the OTC Board after serving

for 20 years, between 1979­1998. Currently, he coaches track and field at Thurston High School with son, KC Gillespie. His coach­ing experience is extensive, having assisted Bill Dellinger at the University of Oregon for 16 years. He was also track and cross coun­try coach at South Eugene High School from 1977­1982 and 1998­2004. John’s own ath­letic resume as an OTC Master includes a USA outdoor triple jump championship at age 40 and indoor title at age 60.

James HoughtonJames has been a lifelong Eugene/Spring­

field resident, since 1971. He is the former President of the Lane County Professionals Chapter of BNI, an Oregon Club Member, and is active with both the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce. He also serves as a

Special Events committee member with Eu­gene Chamber Greeters. He brings to the club more than 20 years of hospitality and sales experience garnered from the Valley River Inn. James has been with Eclectic Edge Racing for five years and is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator. His experience and his passion for Pre’s Trail have been instrumental in helping the OTC host the annual Pre’s Trail XC Challenge.

Phil SuttonPhil Sutton has been an OTC Track & Field

official for eight years. He currently chairs the OTC Membership Committee and is a member of the OTC Marketing Committee. He also serves as the newsletter shepherd for the new­and­improved monthly offering. When he isn’t volunteering for OTC, he is the Business Development and Marketing Direc­tor for Jones & Roth CPAs.

Your New 2012 Board Members

Phil Sutton

John Gillespie

James Houghton

Tucker Davies

James Coons

Volunteer Today with OTCVolunteering just ten hours per year for OTC

would make a tremendous impact. Whatever activity one chooses, there are long­lasting multiplier effects on the community. For in­stance, serve as a track official and help ensure that Eugene continues to host big events like the Olympic Trials, Pre Classic or NCAA meets. Visit www.oregontrackclub.org for information.

One of the many benefits of OTC Member­ship includes a discounted entry to the Eu­gene Marathon/Half Marathon and 5k. Regis­tration is now open for those events.

Members can take advantage of the $10 dis­count by using the following code when regis­tering online or in person:• Half Marathon and Marathon: OTC2012EM,

Expires 4/1/12 • 5k discount: OTC20125 ($5 off), Expires

4/1/12

Eugene Marathon/Half Marathon Discount Code

2010 Membership Renewal _NewNote: All Junior Memberships purchased at the 2010 All-Comer Meets are valid through May 31, 2011. For any other membership category,

if you join the club after September 21, 2009, your membership is valid through 12/31/2010

First Name_____________________________ Last Name_________________________________

Mailing Address___________________________________________________________________

City_____________________________________________ State________ Zip________________

Day Phone (_______)-_________-___________Evening Phone (_______)-________-___________

Email_____________________________________________________ Birthdate______________

ADDITIONAL APPLICANTS FOR COUPLE/FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS:

Spouse’s/Partner’s Name______________________________________ Birthdate______________

Child’s Name_______________________________________________ Birthdate______________

Child’s Name_______________________________________________ Birthdate______________

Additional Children at $5.00 each (includes a junior t-shirt at the All Comers Meets)

Child’s Name_______________________________________________ Birthdate______________

Child’s Name_______________________________________________ Birthdate______________

Regular Individual ($25) Couple/Family with up to two children 18 & under ($35)

Open to persons age 19 and over and their families. Benefits include quarterlynewsletter, discounts on OTC events and at area merchants, directory, annual(pizza) dinner and program.

Masters Individual ($30) Couple/Family with up to two children 18 & under ($45)

Open to persons ages 30 or over and their families. Regular memberbenefits plus Masters monthly newsletter, presentations, and socials.

Juniors Individual ($20)

Open to persons ages 18 and under. Benefits include free entry and a t-shirt at theOregon Track Club All-Comers Meet.

Business ($100)Benefits include: free family membership (check masters or regular box above);Business listing in the Prefontaine Classic Program, the OTC Newsletters,Membership Directory and on the OTC website with a link to your business.

Business Name__________________________________________________________________

Contact Name_____________________________________ Phone (______)-_______-_________

Street Address___________________________________________________________________

Mailing Adress___________________________________________________________________

City_____________________________________________ State________ Zip_______________

Email_________________________________________ Website__________________________

Annual Roster: The Club publishes an annual roster for its members. If you do not wish any or all of the following information to be published,please circle the information which you want omitted: Name Address Day Phone Evening Phone EmailQuestions? E-mail: Info@OregonTrackClub.orgMAIL THIS APPLICATION TO: Oregon Track Club P.O. Box 11364, Eugene, OR 97440

OTC MERCHANDISE

T –shirts, hats and pins are available.See our website for complete details.

www.oregontrackclub.org

MERCHANT DISCOUNTS

See our website forarea discounts available to members.

www.oregontrackclub.org

DONATIONS

I would like to make a donation

in the amount of $_____________

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Butte to ButtePre’s Trail MaintenanceAll-Comer MeetsTrack & Field OfficiatingRoad RacesOther_________________________

OTC Masters

Masters-1 continued on next page

Hayward ClassicJuly 14, 15

Great Masters Track & Field Event

First the Olympic Track and Field Trials here in Eugene, then one of the best Masters Track and Field events in the nation – the Hayward Classic.

Field EventsHardly a week passes without another road running

and walking opportunity. But finding a venue to practice jumping, pole vaulting, javelin and hammer throws is

altogether another matter. Safety issues restrict the ability of an individual athlete attempting to throw javelins or hammers, for example.

The Hayward Classic provides a good spot to demonstrate your skills at field events. The OTC Masters Board is looking at the feasibility of setting up some practice sessions involving field events — we have had some in the past, generally well-received.

Contact me if you would like to participate or even better, help organize such events. Practice sessions

also give runners a chance to try the javelin, for example.

Run, Jump, Throw, VolunteerThe Hayward Classic features many

ways to participate. Our Board is considering how we can increase the visibility of OTC Masters, and create friendly rivalries with groups such as Bowerman Athletic Club and Team Red Lizard.

Another way, available to those not competing, but also to many competitors, is to volunteer at the event. Our volunteer coordinator this year for Hayward Classic is Mike Cahn.

Track City Youth Meet For the first time in Hayward Classic history, we are

participating with a concurrent youth meet. Youth and Masters will share the field, but not the events as we interweave, for example, youth hurdles and masters hurdles. Doing so allowed us to split costs, tap a larger pool of volunteers and made a two-day meet far more

Oregon Track Club Masters March 2012

Masters-2

March Birthdays

1 Angel Amores 45-491 Mary Jaqua 45-491 Tricia Duncan 40-443 Anne Turner 65-693 Patrick Albright 60-643 Robert Coll 50-544 Tatyana Pozdnyakova 55-594 Randall Mitts 35-396 Larry Dunlap 70-747 Marcia McChesney 80-847 Susan Saalfeld 65-697 Michele Kau 40-448 Kevin Kinser 55-598 Renee Grube 50-549 Rod Wood 75-7911 Jack Casey 65-6911 Lynn Kanesta 55-5911 Byrke Beller 40-4412 John Altendorf 65-6913 Leslie McHugh 60-6413 Norma Poasa 60-64

15 Patty Gierga Brown 50-5417 Edwin Coleman II 80-8418 Erin Dickinson 35-3919 Keith Gelbrich 65-6919 Sharon Gerl 60-6419 Gayle Faust 60-6419 Rock Rakosi 45-4920 Larry Hamblen 70-7420 Ed Hodges 45-4921 Josh Marean 40-4423 Bob Golly 75-7925 Greg Clift 55-5928 Jim Gravette 65-6929 Tom Jordan 60-6429 Chris Hamilton 45-4930 Celeste Kuta 55-5930 Don Wheeler 50-5430 Larry Banks 45-4931 Virginia Mulvey 55-5931 Kristi Johnson 45-49

feasible. The two-day format allows our multi-event athletes to have greater recovery time before taking on their next event. The demands on Hayward Field are especially heavy during the TrackTown USA Olympic Trials; our date worked best for both us and the youth

group given the timing of other youth events.

Register EarlyUnlike road runs, a track and field event needs lots

of preparation; early entries help a lot, and late entries cannot be accepted; so register early!

Hayward Classic, continued

5

OREGON TRACK CLUBwww.oregontrackclub.org

by Vin LanannaDuring the last month it’s been wonderful to see the spirit and

passion of TrackTown USA in full effect. It was on display in the capacity crowd at our kick­off TrackTown Tuesday, the record turnout of guests for the Oregon Track Club Annual Dinner and the attendees at our pre­season University of Oregon Official’s Meeting. The next four months will be the Best of Track & Field Ever and the Oregon Track Club is at the center of the energy and excitement that will culminate with the Best Meet Ever.

As the University of Oregon men and women prepare to compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships they will bring your support with them as they take on the competition. For the outdoor season, they look forward to returning to Historic Hayward Field and competing in front of the TrackTown USA fans. From the UO season to Pac­12’s to the 2012 Olympic Trials our home meets will provide many

memorable moments and your spirit and passion will encourage the athletes to perform at the highest level.

The spirit and passion of our sold­out crowds is the hallmark of Track­Town USA and the reason we are successful in our bids to host great events in our community. This is the year for us to introduce young kids to the sport as participants and fans, showcase our community as the cen­ter of track and field and celebrate our local competitors. As a committed member of TrackTown USA, I look forward to seeing you at Historic Hayward Field for the U of O season, Pac­12’s and TrackTown12 and lifting our spirit and passion to new heights.

Vin Lananna is the Asso-ciate Athletic Director and the Director of Track and Field at the UO.

Vin’s Track Town: Best Track & Field Ever

6

OnTrack MARCH 2012

By Bridget Franek

Many of the Oregon Track Club Elite mem­bers have cut back slightly on heavy winter base training in order to participate in a short Indoor racing season.

This has not only given them a break from the high mileage and intense workouts of the fall, it has also provided them with a gauge of where they currently are on their journey to June. Most of the members have taken advantage of the University of Wash­ington’s indoor facility and the excellent competitive fields it attracts.

In addition to three meets at that venue, the club had representation at several other top quality meets such as the U.S. Open in Madison Square Garden, the Texas A&M Chal­lenge Meet, and the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. Many of the athletes who are

healthy and have laced up their spikes to compete, have stepped off the track pleas­antly surprised with the results. Several have already set personal records or come very close on their first attempts of the year.

Two athletes, Nick Symmonds and Lachlan Renshaw, will be taking part in the Austra­lian summer racing season over the next few weeks. The season culminates on March 3rd in Melbourne where the Australian Olympic Team will be decided.

Those that have not yet started racing are working to recover from injury or simply being cautious while keeping a long­term perspective on the long year ahead. Several elite athletes hope to open their outdoor seasons at the up­coming Oregon Preview on March 18th and every­one looks forward to helping out with the popular Youth Track and Field Clinic around this event.

UO IndoorMarch 9­10, NCAA Indoor Champs, Nampa, ID

UO OutdoorMarch 18, Oregon Preview, EugeneMarch 23­24, USC Invitational, Los Angeles, CAApril 7, Pepsi Team Invitational, EugeneApril 13, John Knight Twilight, Monmouth, ORApril 19­21, Oregon Relays, EugeneApril 26­28, Penn Relays, Philadelphia, PAApril 29, Payton Jordan Invit., Palo Alto, CAMay 5, Oregon Twilight, EugeneMay 5­6, Pac­12 Champs, Eugene, Combined EventsMay 12­13, Pac­12 Champs, EugeneMay 24­26, NCAA West Prelims, Austin, TXJune 6­9, NCAA Outdoor Champs, Des Moines, IAJune 21, Hammer Time, BeavertonJune 22­July 1, Olympic Trials, Eugene

OTC Elite Look to Oregon Preview

UO Track and Field Schedule

by Tom Jordan

Tickets for the 38th annual Prefontaine Classic will go on sale at 9am on March 2nd from www.goducks.com, 1­800­WEB­FOOT, or at the Autzen Stadium ticket windows. This Olympic Year edition of the Pre Classic will feature the best fields ever! That’s a promise.

Pre Classic Tickets on Sale

The Oregon Track Club Elite Team for 2012

7

OREGON TRACK CLUBwww.oregontrackclub.org

Jody Smith and Jill Steele joined the University of Oregon Track & Field program last year. Jody and Jill have been very supportive of the Oregon Track Club from the day they arrived at UO.

Jody Smith is in her first year as assistant athletic director for the track and field and cross country teams.

Smith oversees the integration of the program’s administra­tive areas within the athletics department and serves as Oregon’s home event meet director. She will play a vital role in Oregon’s hosting of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, as well as the inaugural Pac­12 Track & Field Championships.

Smith came to Oregon after spending much of the previous de­cade as an administrator at Stanford and San Jose State. She was San Jose State’s associate athletic director for events and fa­cilities, spending two years with the Western Athletic Conference school, where she served as the tournament manager for the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Division I Championship First and Second Round games played in San Jose’s HP Pavilion.

She came to SJSU after a long tenure at Stanford, where she held a number of positions, including director of special events for the Cardinal Athletic Department, manager of the Avery Aquatic Center, and associate director for the Stanford Track & Field Foun­

dation, as well as working with the Stanford Alumni Association.

The 1991 Stanford University gradu­ate was a six­time All­America swim­mer for the Cardinal. She still swims competitively in Masters competi­tions and set world records in long and short course pools for the 200 backstroke in 2009.

Jill Steele joined the staff in the fall of 2011 as director of operations and is in her first year with the program.

The Seattle, Wash., native is re­sponsible for many of the day­to­day operations of the track and cross country teams, including administra­tive support, team travel and logis­tics, as well as special projects re­lating to the 2012 Olympic Trials and Pac­12 Track & Field Championships.

Prior to arriving in Track Town, USA, Steele spent two years working with the University of Oklahoma’s track and field teams.

She began her time with the Sooners as a graduate assistant, studying intercollegiate athletic administration, before moving into a full­time position as director of track and field operations. While earning her Master’s degree from Oklahoma, Steele served as a graduate assistant with academics, where she advised and monitored student­athlete academic progress. Additionally, she mentored student­athletes with learning disabilities and interna­tional English second­language students­athletes.

She was the meet director for the 2011 Big 12 Conference Track & Field Championships.

Steele was a member of the cross country and track and field teams at Utah State. She won the Joe E. Whitesides Scholar­Athlete Award four years in a row, from 2003 to 2006. She was named to the Western Athletic Conference all­academic team in both 2005 and 2006 and graduated from Utah State in 2006 with a degree in health, physical education and recreation.

After graduation, Steele spent one season as head cross coun­try coach at Overlake High School in Redmond, Wash. Steele has also volunteered for the American Cancer Society as an event chairperson for its “Relay For Life” fund­raiser event.

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New Faces in Oregon Track & Field

Jody Smith

Jill Steele

Non-Profit OrganizationUS Postage PaidEugene, ORPermit No. 259

P.O. Box 11364Eugene, OR 97440

Many thanks to: Bill Kelly, Kari Westlund, Phil Sutton, Liz James, Jill Steele, Jody Smith, Celeste Kuta, Bridget Franek, David Wilkins for contributing to this issue. Please contact Jennifer Touchette at jennifertouchette@comcast.net for any comments about this newsletter.

Member Appreciation EventAfter a successful inaugural event at last year’s Pepsi

Invitational, OTC will once again host a Member Apprecia­

tion Event at this year’s Pepsi Team Invitational on April 7.

There is no charge to OTC members, but you will need to

bring your membership card (we will have a member list if

you forget). If you are not a UO Season Ticket holder, you

will need to purchase a ticket to the Pepsi Team Invita­

tional available at GoDucks.com. Confirmed teams for this

exciting meet include Texas A&M, UCLA, Washington, and

Oregon.

The event will start concurrent with the running events

and continue through the meet. Light refreshments will

be served. Several seasoned track enthusiasts will be on­

hand to welcome you and answer any questions you might

have about the events on the field.

Whether you are a seasoned track fan or new to the

sport, we hope you will join us on April 7 at the Pepsi Team

Invitational!

In MemoryGeoff Hollister, 66, died Feb. 6 of cancer.An honorary life member of OTC, Geoff was a tireless supporter

of our organization and track and field throughout the world. A graduate of South Eugene High School and the University of Or­egon, he ran track for Bill Bowerman in the mid ‘60s. As one of the first employees of Nike, then called Blue Ribbon Sports, he was in­strumental in helping grow the organization to its current position as a global corporation. He is credited with founding the Butte­to­Butte road race, the Nike­OTC Marathon, and Athletics West, a club of post­collegiate athletes funded by Nike, in many ways a forerunner of OTC Elite. Geoff’s contribution to OTC and the sport of track and field lives on.

The next TrackTown Tuesday is Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7pm, at the Springfield Hilton Garden Inn.

Future “TrackTown Tuesday” meetings are: • April 3, Eugene Hilton • May 1, Oregon Electric Station • June 12, to be announced.

Next TrackTown on March 6