EUGENE, Ore. — Back in November, the most unlikely of circumstances set the stage for Oregon to compete for the first-ever "Triple Crown" of national championships by a women's track and field program.
The first jewel in that crown is the NCAA cross country title, won by the Ducks in November when their fifth and final scoring runner, Eugene native Maggie Schmaedick, finished one spot ahead of Michigan's fifth and final scoring runner. That gave Oregon a one-point victory over the Wolverines for the team title, and the first jewel in the Triple Crown.