New Oregon Duck Mykolas Alekna wins men’s discus at Pre Classic

Newest Oregon Duck Mykolas Alekna didn’t need to familiarize himself with Hayward Field before competing in the Prefontaine Classic.

The world record holder has been here several times before.

July 5, however, was his first appearance in Eugene since announcing his transfer from California to Oregon for the 2026 season.

He gave the home crowd a taste of what they can expect next spring when he threw 232 feet, 10 inches to win the Pre Classic men’s discus.

Alekna said he is excited to come to Oregon and work with Ducks’ throws coach Brian Blutreich.

“I got one more year left, Oregon is Track Town, amazing coach, coach Blu, I think he’s one of the greatest in the NCAA,” he said. “I’m really confident in my decision. I think it’s a great place for me to grow.”

Alekna has held the world record in the discus since 2024 and reset the standard twice during the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational this spring, which he won with a mark of 247-11.

He was the Olympic silver medalist in Paris last summer, won silver at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene and bronze in 2023 in Budapest, and owns the 10 longest throws in collegiate history.

On July 5 he held off Jamaica’s Ralford Mullings, who finished second at 226-3. Sweden’s Daniel Stahl, the 2023 world champion, was third at 225-0 and 2024 Olympic gold medalist Roje Stona of Jamaica was fourth at 215-3.

“It was so much fun,” Alekna said. “I was enjoying every second in there.”

Alekna is heading back to his native Lithuania for a summer of meets in Europe leading into the world outdoor meet in Tokyo in September.

Then he’ll be in Eugene.

“It’s gonna be wonderful,” Alekna said. “Historic track, historic program. Can’t wait to start and be a Duck.”

NCAA champion and Oregon Duck Aaliyah McCormick a late addition to women’s 100 hurdles

Oregon’s Aaliyah McCormick learned July 4 she was getting a lane in the women’s 100 hurdles.

The race didn’t turn out as expected for the 2025 NCAA champion who just wrapped up her junior season.

McCormick finished seventh in 12.98 seconds in a race won by Jamacia’s Ackera Nugent in 12.32.

“I was pretty freaked out,” McCormick said. “It was my first kind of pro race, so I was a little bit freaked out and I guess that’s kind of what got me today. Wasn’t my best race but this will definitely push me to do so much more.”

Klaudia Kazimierska plays role in 5K world record

Just days after signing a professional contract with Nike, the former Oregon standout was back at Hayward Field in her new Nike kit as a pacer for Beatrice Chebet’s successful attempt to break the world record in the 5,000.

“Not a bad start to my pro career to be a part of that race,” Kazimierska said.

Kazimierska ran the first 1,600 meters of the race – a comfortable distance for the Polish Olympian who was a 1,500 finalist in Paris.

“If I’m not running individually, why not help people run fast times?” Kazimierska said.

Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @chansen_RG