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No. 2 Oregon Responds with Statement Win Over No. 3 Quinnipiac
The second-ranked Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team delivered a sharper, more complete performance in its home opener Saturday, defeating No. 3 Quinnipiac, 270.640–265.425, at Matthew Knight Arena.
Oregon set the tone immediately. A perfect 10.0 in the toss heat of the compulsory event gave the Ducks an early edge, and they controlled the meet from start to finish in a wire-to-wire victory between two top-three programs.
The win marked clear progress from Oregon’s season-opening score of 267.325 at Missouri State. The Ducks improved by more than three points overall and saw a significant jump in the team event, climbing from 89.100 to 92.290.
How It Happened
Oregon opened strong in compulsory, winning three of four heats. The highlight came in toss, where the Ducks earned the program’s first perfect 10.0 in the skill since 2020. The side-by-side precision of two quintets delivered the milestone score: Shea Barnes, Kamryn Horiuchi, Charlotte Lippa, Ashlyn Parlett and Emily Rezner; and Selah Bell, Molly Dahlager, Makenna Guidish, Angelica Martin and Blessyn McMorris.
The Ducks exited the opening event with a 38.000–37.700 lead and built on it in acro, outscoring Quinnipiac 65.100–63.300. Cassidy Cu and Angelica Martin anchored the effort with a 9.800 in the five-element heat and a 9.750 in the seven-element heat.
Oregon maintained a narrow advantage after pyramid, leading 94.300–92.350. Quinnipiac gained ground in toss, but the Ducks responded in tumbling. Nya Womack posted a 9.800 in the aerial pass, and Morgan Willingham matched that mark in the six-element pass, helping Oregon steady its momentum.
Entering the team event with a slim 178.350–177.175 lead, the Ducks closed emphatically. Oregon outscored the Bobcats 92.290–88.250 in the final event to secure the five-point victory.
Up Next
Oregon hits the road next Saturday for a marquee matchup at No. 1 Baylor, scheduled for 3 p.m.
Erickson Blazes to Indoor PR, Ducks Put Two Under 1:47 at Arkansas Qualifier
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Matthew Erickson continued to build momentum toward the postseason Friday night, racing to an indoor personal best of 1:45.93 in the 800 meters at the Arkansas Qualifier.
The reigning NCAA indoor champion finished second overall and became just the second man in Oregon history to break 1:46 indoors, joining school-record holder Charlie Hunter (1:45.59). Based on marks entering the weekend, Erickson moves to No. 7 on the NCAA descending order list.
James Harding added to the Ducks’ strong showing, clocking a lifetime best of 1:46.44 to place third. His performance elevates him into the top 16 nationally and improves his standing in Oregon’s record book, moving from sixth to fourth all-time indoors. Harding bettered his previous season best of 1:46.83, set earlier this year at the Razorback Invitational.
With the qualifying window open through conference weekend, the top 16 declared individuals in each event and top 12 relays will advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships, set for March 13–14 in Fayetteville.
Friday Results
Arkansas Qualifier (Fayetteville, Ark.)
MEN
800 Meters
2. Matthew Erickson – 1:45.93 (PB, UO #2*)
3. James Harding – 1:46.44 (PB, UO #4)
*already held that ranking, improved mark
Oregon DMR Rewrites Record Book, Climbs to No. 2 in NCAA
BOSTON — Oregon’s men’s distance medley relay delivered a historic performance Sunday night, breaking the school record and surging to No. 2 on the NCAA descending order list at the Saucony Battle in Boston.
Competing at Boston University’s Track & Tennis Center, the quartet of Simeon Birnbaum, Fuad Omer, Elliott Cook and Tomas Palfrey combined for a blistering 9:14.88, making them the second-fastest collegiate DMR team in history.
DQ FridaySchool record Sunday.
Tom Palfrey brings home the Ducks for redemption. #GoDuckspic.twitter.com/RfSbLxIlhw
— oregontf (@OregonTF) February 23, 2026
The Ducks’ time marks a significant milestone. Oregon becomes just the second program ever to run sub-9:15 on a banked, 200-meter track, joining Virginia, which clocked 9:14.19 earlier this season. Overall, only four programs in NCAA history have broken 9:15 indoors.
Sunday’s effort eclipsed the previous school record of 9:17.57, set at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach. Cook, Omer and Palfrey were also members of that record-setting squad, making this latest performance both a breakthrough and a continuation of Oregon’s distance tradition.
The race proved to be one of the fastest in the country this season. Based on marks entering the meet, three of the top five times nationally were produced Sunday, including Virginia Tech at 9:15.05 and Virginia at 9:16.75.
The performance came just two days after Oregon competed at the Arkansas Qualifier, underscoring the group’s depth and resilience during a demanding weekend.
With the NCAA qualifying window open through conference weekend, the top 12 relays will advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships, set for March 13–14 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Oregon’s 9:14.88 places the Ducks firmly in contention heading into the postseason.
Sunday Results
Saucony Battle for Boston (Boston, Mass.)
MEN
Distance Medley Relay
1. Birnbaum, Omer, Cook, Palfrey – 9:14.88 (UO#1, NCAA #2)
Up Next
The Ducks open postseason competition Feb. 26–28 at the Big Ten Indoor Championships at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
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