Oregon Twilight Brings Maton into the Spotlight
The Oregon Twilight Meet has long been a historic event, with legendary names such as: Steve Prefontaine, Galen Rupp and Matthew Centrowitz toeing the line for Oregon. This year’s event was no different, and yet in a meet where Olympic champions and world-class runners clashed, it was one high school senior who stole the show.
Matthew Maton became the sixth high school athlete to ever break four minutes for the mile.
The world’s greatest athlete, Ashton Eaton, made an appearance as he prepares for the USA National Championships this summer, placing second in the 100 and 400 in seemingly casual fashion.
Antother Oregon alum, Mac Fleet won the 1000 meters, Matthew Centrowitz and Andrew Wheating went 1-2 in the 800 meters, and former Oregon standout Samantha Murphy won the women’s 800.
Current Duck star Edward Cheserek won the 3000 meters, continuing his dominant season, and Alisha Rowe won the women’s 100.
After a meet like this it seemed unlikely that anything could possibly top it, then came the culminating event of the evening, the Men’s Mile.
An electric Hayward field crowd pushed the hallmark event of the night forward in anticipation of the historic opportunity.
Eric Jenkins and Will Geoghegan went 1-2 in the race, and joined the sub four club themselves. As the two current Oregon studs turned back they looked upon the future of the program as Maton powered his way to third in the race.
The tension of moment was physically palpable as the entire crowd, including Jenkins and Geoghegan, looked to the scoreboard for the official time.
3:59.38. The 3rd fastest all time.
It is moments such as this when the true value of athletics can be seen, and in truth felt. The singular task of the four-minute mile, achieved for the first time just over 61 years ago by Roger Bannister, remains one of the most defining barriers in all of sports.
With this performance, Maton solidifies his place alongside greats such as Jim Ryun and Alan Webb.
Without a doubt the future is bright for Oregon, and future Duck Maton as well.
