In the 2nd installment of "Where Are They Now", we catch up with former University City High School and current redshirt senior University of Oregon runner, Mac Fleet. He finished his high school career as one of the all-time greats from the San Diego Section with a state championship in cross country and track and field.
Mac Fleet's first love in sports was basketball. That changed once he completed his freshman year in high school and discovered his talent in running. This should have come as no surprise as Mac's dad, Dale, was a California state champion in the 2 mile in 1971. Fleet finished in the top 10 (9th place) in the Division II race as a sophomore with a time of 15:37 on the Woodward Park course. He followed that up with an even more impressive 2nd place finish at the CA state track and field meet in the 1600m. running 4:08.09. Fleet didn't compete at the state XC meet as a junior and finished in 3rd place in the 1600m. behind German Fernandez's almost sub 4 effort. Fleet won his XC individual title as a senior taking the Division III race in 15:08. He matched his dad's state track title in the 1600m. taking the title in 4:05.33.
Fleet joined the University of Oregon Ducks and quickly made a name for himself as a freshman. He ran for Ducks in XC as their only freshman on the NCAA West Regional team. He broke Galen Rupp's indoor mile school record with his 3:57.70. Outdoors Fleet continued to shine by running the 800 leg on the winning DMR team at the Penn Relays. He also ran an 800 leg on the 2nd place 4 x 800 team at the same meet. His season completed at the NCAA West Regional 1500m. race and as one of the top freshmen in the country.
Fleet's strong running took a bit of a detour for two years as he battled injuries which limited his participation. He completely missed the 2011/2012 seasons in all three sports as he redshirted due to injury. He recorded an indoor mile in 3:58.90 at the Alex Wilson Invitational and the comeback was almost complete. His outdoor season followed the script of a movie as he helped Oregon win their 7th straight outdoor Pac 12 title with a 3rd place finish in the 1500m. Fleet went on to win the NCAA 1500m. title and record lifetime best times in the 800m. (1:46.32) and the 1500m. (3:38.35).
At the just completed NCAA Indoor Track and Field championship, Fleet finished in 3rd place in the men's mile to help Oregon win the team title. With one outdoor track and field season remaining, Fleet will look to add to his 2 school records and NCAA 1500m. championship.