Competing at the Millrose Games is a pretty big deal — especially if you are only a redshirt freshman. Not just anyone can go to the longest-running indoor track meet; you have to receive an invitation. Limited spots means the Games can pick the top athletes from around the world, so, for Oregon’s Blake Haney to receive a summons speaks volumes to his development.
“There are only so many spots there, and of course they have everybody in the world who wants to get into that meet,” Oregon head coach Robert Johnson said. “I think its just another stepping stone for Blake.”
A highly touted recruit out of Bakersfield, California, Haney redshirted indoors last season to recover from an injury. Making his outdoor debut that spring, he quickly established himself as one of Oregon’s top middle distance runners. As he ran, he continued to improve his standings in the 1500. At the Pac-12 Championships, he finished fourth, in the NCAA Championships he fought for third, and then after the collegiate season, claimed first at the USA Junior Championships and the Pan American Junior Championships.
So far this year, he has been just as good. In his season opener at the Razorback Invitational, he finished second in the mile (3:59.10) and picked up a win as part of the Duck men’s distance medley relay team (9:30.95). Haney was the 16th Duck athlete to finish under the prestigious four-minute mile mark.
“I think it was a really successful meet for me, and I am excited to build going forward,” Haney said.
At the Millrace Games, he will be running in the Armory Invitational Mile, an event that features a tough field. Though the competition is stiff, Haney isn’t nervous because it is something he has grown used to running in Eugene.
“Being on Oregon, there are so many elite guys I am running with every day, so I am pretty used to it in that sense,” Haney said.
Two of those elite athletes will be traveling with Haney to New York for the Games: Edward Cheserek will run the 3000, while Raevyn Rogers will compete in the women’s 800.
Haney will also be running alongside future Duck Drew Hunter, a high school senior who has been setting the track world on fire. Hunter has run back-to-back record-setting races — first breaking the American junior record in the 3000 (7:59.33) formerly held by Cheserek and then topping Alan Webb’s American junior record in the mile (3:58.25).
“Drew has been doing a fantastic job,” Johnson said, “he is definitely a special runner.”
For Haney, the biggest difference this season has been his confidence. Being a year into his college experience lets him be more comfortable in the Oregon system. This means the wins and honors should keep coming for a runner on the rise.
“Everything has been going really well for me and I know what to expect going forward,” Haney said.
The Millrose Games will take place Saturday, February 20, in New York. The starting time for the Armory Invitational Mile is 6:29 p.m.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur