Oregon State made a winning debut for men’s track on Saturday at Hayward Field.
Obum (pronounced O-boom) Gwacham, a freshman, became the Beavers’ first men’s track and field athlete compete outdoors since 1988, and he won the high jump with a clearance of 7 feet, 1 3/4 inches.
Gwacham, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Saturday, took three attempts at 7-3.
John Radetich, the volunteer coach who has been working with Gwacham and Jordan Bishop since December, called it “historic.”
“First off, to see an Oregon State jumper out on the field, and then jumping at 7-1, I was getting goose bumps before he jumped,” said Radetich, a seven-footer himself and part of a once-great Oregon State high jumping tradition. “Then he made it. Holy smokes.”
Bishop, who cleared seven feet indoors and was one of the athletes who has pressed for allowing Oregon State football players to work on track during the team’s down time, was sick and did not take part.
That left only Gwacham, and a couple of dozen Oregon State students and fans watching him make a triumphant return for a Beavers program that was cut in 1988.
Kelly Sullivan has indicated that Oregon State would send male athletes to the Pac-10 Championships, and to NCAA West Regionals, after Spring football has concluded.
Gwacham, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who has yet to play a down for the Beavers, wasn’t as concerned with making history as he was getting over the bar.
“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Gwacham said. “I’m just focused on trying to get to this 7-3 mark.”
He hasn’t even begun to think about the possibility of a berth in the NCAA outdoor championships, but it’s out there.
“If it happens, I’ll be thankful because we’ve been working hard to make it happen,” Gwacham said.
The last OSU male to compete on a track was Karl Van Calcar, who won the 1988 NCAA steeplechase title at Hayward Field.
