EUGENE - Oregon senior Sam Prakel figures to be a contender in the mile at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in two weeks in College Station, Texas.
But before Prakel gets to the start line he must defend his Biochemistry thesis on hydrogen sulfide.
Scientists increasingly have come to understand hydrogen sulfide can be used to treat neurological and cardiovascular issues in people, a subject Prakel has been digging into when not training.
"I like to keep busy," Prakel says.
Clearly, focus and time management aren't problems.
"I don't think he ever has gotten anything below an A," UO men's distance coach Andy Powell says.