Marcus Chambers finishes surprising second in 400 as Oregon Ducks claim national title...

EUGENE—Tacoma native Marcus Chambers (left,with Oregon coach Robert Johnson/photo by Paul Merca) provided some big points for the Oregon Ducks as he finished a surprising second in the 400 meters at the NCAA Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.

Chambers, a former Washington state champion from Foss HS,  stayed relaxed through the first half of the race, riding easily through the back stretch before finishing with a furious kick down the home stretch, passing Illinois senior DJ Zahn and making a run at eventual winner Vernon Norwood of LSU, who clocked 45.10 to Chambers’ 45.59.

Chambers’ eight points in the 400 helped the Ducks secure their second straight national team title, as the Men of Oregon scored 85 points to easily outdistance runner-up Florida’s 56, and Arkansas’ 53.

In the men’s 1500, Boise State’s David Elliott from Bellingham finished eighth in a tactical 3:55.86, while Washington’ Izaic Yorks, who was added to the field after he was interfered with by Seattle Prep grad Joe Hardy of Wisconsin in the semis Wednesday, was 13th in 3:56.76.  Former Duck Chad Noelle, who transferred to Oklahoma State, won in 3:54.96.

Saturday, the NCAA championships conclude with the women’s team title on the line.  Athletes with Washington ties competing included Kirkland native Tansey Lystad of Portland and Washington’s Maddie Meyers in the 5000, and Pasco’s Marisa Howard of Boise State in the 3000 steeplechase.

Complete day 3 results from the NCAA championships are available here.

NOTE:  The University of Oregon contributed to this report.