As if excelling at one sport was not enough, University of Oregon football wide receiver Devon Allen is now going to the Summer Olympics… as a hurdler. A record crowd of nearly 23,000 at Hayward Field in Eugene stood and roared for the entirety of the men’s 110-meter high hurdles final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials.
The University of Oregon junior did not disappoint the home crowd Saturday by finishing first in a personal record time of 13.03 seconds. Professional sprinter Ronnie Ash edged out Nike's Jeff Porter for second place in a photo finish of runner ups that took several minutes to sort out.
Allen became the first collegian to win the 110-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Trials since Renaldo Nehemiah of Maryland in 1980.
"It hasn't hit me yet," the 21-year-old said after the race. "It's surreal."
Two seasons ago, Allen played in the Rose Bowl with the Oregon football team. But now that he is an Olympian in track, does football fade?
“I’m just excited to have the opportunity. I still love football. I still love playing. There are a lot of moving parts in football,” Allen answered. “It’s hard for me to think about that you know yet.”
A former Washington State Cougars wide receiver hopes to join Allen on the U.S. Olympic team. Jeshua Anderson races in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic trials on Sunday afternoon.
The 2016 Summer Games take place in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to 21.
Copyright 2016 Northwest News Network
