Oregon’s Andrew Wheating Is Back On Track

by JIM MCDANNALD

A phenomenal 2008 season saw Andrew Wheating place 2nd in both the NCAAs and Olympic Trials making  him a household name to US track and field fans.  The following year was full of ups and downs that saw Wheating claim a couple of national titles, but also battle through some injuries and illness.  Any lingering doubts about his health or fitness were answered with a 1:46.36 800m in Seattle on Saturday.

“I can’t complain.  I was more nervous about this being my first race than anything else.  I didn’t care about the time.”  Though he didn’t care about the time, he broke his previous Dempsey Fieldhouse record of 1:47.03 from last year.  This also ranks as the fastest 800m in the NCAA so far this year.