Another Duck win medal at Worlds

DUCKS WIN ANOTHER MEDAL IN BEIJING

What Happened Day 9 (Aug. 30 Morning): The Ducks added a medal in the 4x400 meter relay to their already impressive haul, while Matthew Centrowitz wrapped up a long season in the 1,500 meters to conclude the 9-day IAAF World Championships.

Centrowitz, a two-time world championship medalist, raced with the leaders nearly the entire distance of the 1,500 meter final. He was in medal contention from the start, running no less than fourth for much of the race. At the bell, Centrowitz moved to the lead and looked to be primed for another podium finish when the field moved by.

Despite easily advancing through the qualifying heats earlier in the week, he was unable to match his competitors’ closing speed over the final 150 meters. Centrowitz faded to finish in eighth place running 3:36.13, the lowest finish at a World Championships or Olympics for one of the best tactical racers in the world. Pre-race favorite Asbel Kiprop of Kenya won his third-straight world championship title in 3:34.40.

Phyllis Francis, who ran well during the semifinals, did not race in the 4x400 meter finals. She was replaced by 400 meter World Champion Allyson Felix, who ran with three Ducks on the 4x100 Saturday. The U.S. finished behind Jamaica in a closely contested final that saw the two teams exchanging the lead from the start. The Jamaicans won in 3:19.13, with the U.S. second in 3:19.44. Because of her duties in the semifinal round, Francis still receives a silver medal.

The 2015 IAAF World Outdoor Championships were an unmatched success for the University of Oregon as current and former Ducks won a program-high six medals among their 10 event finalists (top eight). Ashton Eaton won gold in the decathlon, while Brianne Theisen-Eaton won silver in the heptathlon. English Gardner, Jasmine Todd and Jenna Prandini combined to win silver in the 4x100 meter relay and Phyllis Francis brings home a silver medal from the 4x400.

Other top eight finishers for the Ducks included Galen Rupp in the 5,000 and 10,000, Francis in the 400 and Centrowitz in the 1,500 meters.

These athletes will now turn their attention to the 2016 track and field season, where the IAAF World Indoor Championships will be held in Portland, Ore. in March. The road to the 2016 Olympics passes through Hayward Field in July, when Eugene hosts the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the third-consecutive time. Hayward Field will host the IAAF World Championships in 2021, the first time ever on American soil.