We're almost halfway through the week. Keep on keepin' on. Here's your Morning Quack Fix:
- Two Oregon baseball recruits were selected yesterday during the first three rounds of the MLB First-Year Player Draft: Tyler Matzek, selected 11th overall by the Colorado Rockies, and Jake Marisnick, taken 104th overall (third round) by the Toronto Blue Jays. It's likely that all 15 players in second-year head coach George Horton's recruiting class get drafted, but the real concern is over Braxton Lane, who was also recruited to play football as well. Moseley has the story on Lane and what he's likely to do if drafted. The draft continues today and wraps up tomorrow.
- The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships begin today at Arkansas's John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville. Yesterday, USA Today ran a feature on Galen Rupp and the Oregon program's resurgence. Rupp, who is nearing the end of his outstanding career at Oregon, is favored to win the 5,000- and 10,000-meter events. The Ducks are seeking their first men's outdoor title since 1984, and if they pull it off, will be only the third team ever to sweep the outdoor, indoor and cross-country team titles in the same year. Oregon is well-represented by 28 athletes at the event, including 16 men and 12 women.
- ESPN.com's Ted Miller had a few interesting posts yesterday. First, he examined Phil Steele's annual college football preview, which came out yesterday. (I've asked before and I'll ask again: Who the hell is Phil Steele?!) Then, he made a few predictions regarding the 2010 NFL Draft, breaking down the Pac-10's prospects by position. Not surprisingly, a few Ducks show up on the list.
- Former Oregon standout Nick Reed signed with the Seattle Seahawks yesterday, the third Duck to sign since April's NFL Draft. Max Unger, who was taken by the Seahawks in the second round, has yet to sign.
- The LA Times has a feature on Oregon's new head women's basketball coach Paul Westhead. The article focuses on Westhead's long and winding career, and why he took the job in Eugene. The former NBA, WNBA and college coach, who was hired this summer after Bev Smith was let go, is the only coach to win an NBA and WNBA championship, leading the Lakers to the title in 1980 and the Phoenix Mercury in 2007.
- The Oregon Daily Emerald staff unveiled their list of the best and worst of Oregon sports during the 2008-09 school year. My personal favorite was their choice for Biggest Disappointment. I'll give you one guess...
- Bleacher Report scribe Fletcher Johnson gives five reasons why the Ducks will win the Pac-10 in 2009. I can't say I agree with him that it's that black-and-white, but you have to appreciate his optimism.
- And finally, last week, Deadspin featured a guest post from an Oregon senior named Cathryn Tusow, a die-hard Blazer fan. Definitely entertaining, so check it out.
As always, post your thoughts or any relevant links in the comments.
GO DUCKS!