The Oregon track and field community is a unique one. It isn't about the name on the uniform; it's about the relentlessness and beauty of the sport and that's what the family is built around.
Patrick Casey's 2011 campaign has been an impressive one and he's only one meet into the outdoor season. After an extraordinary winter, people have taken notice of what Pat Casey is capable of. That notice has earned him an invitation to the Oregon Relays in Eugene, Ore. to compete in the 1,500 on Friday, April 22. The Laurel, Mont. native will run at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon among some of the best in the sport, many of which he's already competed against this year.
Casey earned this invitation after running a 3:59.76 in the indoor mile. His time, unadjusted and at altitude let his doubters know that he is the real deal. His time marked the fastest ever on Montana soil, a lead in the NCAA and at the time, arguably the fastest mark in the world. Casey went on to compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships where he finished 12th overall.
Last week, Casey took 10th in the 1,500 at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif. with a time of 3:43.69 and won the 3,000 steeplechase (9:02.17) at the Beach Invitational in Cerritos, Calif. He is currently ranked second in the Big Sky Conference in both the 1,500 and the steeplechase.
“This is a great opportunity for Patrick,” said head coach Dale Kennedy. “He's going to competing in a very special environment where the fans just love the sport and want you to do well.”
Following his race on Friday night, Casey will head east to compete in the 800 and 4x400 at the Cat-Griz Dual in Missoula, Mont., on Saturday.
