Puskedra goes international

An Interesting news item came my way this afternoon concerning ex-Judge Memorial track star Luke Puskedra.

Puskedra, now a freshman at the University of Oregon, represented the United States at the 2009 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Junior Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan, on Saturday, March 28. He was one of just five American runners to compete in a field of 121 international competitors. Puskedra earned a spot on the U.S. team by finishing third at the U.S. junior championships held on February 7 in Derwood, Maryland.

Puskedra performed well at the IAAF World Championships. He finished 30th in among the field of runners, turning in a time of 24:53.

Getting a chance to perform on a national stage is just the latest in a growing list of impressive accomplishments for the former Ogden resident.

Last month, Puskedra finished sixth in the men’s 5,000-meters with a time of 13:50.82 to earn All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Track Championships held at College Station, Texas. He ended up being one of four Oregon runners to finish in the top 14 at the championship meet.

During the cross-country season, Puskedra was named the 2008 Pac-10 cross country Newcomer of the Year and also ended up being one of three all-American selections in the sport for the Ducks this fall.

Prior to signing with Oregon, Puskedra set new state records in the 1600 and 3200 meters at the 2008 3A State Meet. His 1600 time, 4: 9.29, broke a record that stood for nearly two decades. His 3200 time, 8: 54.41, broke a record he set two weeks earlier at the BYU Invitational and helped Puskedra become the first high school runner in Utah to run a sub nine minute time in the 3200.

It will be interesting to see what comes of his college career, but it appears things are off to a strong start for Puskedra.

—