Freshman Lukas Verzbicas pleads his case, but Oregon cross country coach Vin Lananna won’t rush him | Lukas Verzbicas is “dying to race,” but Lananna will be careful with the nation’s No. 1 recruit
Oregon freshman Lukas Verzbicas would love to race this week. The nation’s most heralded prep distance runner was pleading his case to UO coach Vin Lananna on Monday as the Ducks prepared for the Bill Dellinger Invitational at Springfield Country Club on Saturday. It’s the only home meet of the season for the UO cross country teams. Verzbicas, the reigning world junior triathlon champion who was born in Lithuania, went to high school in Orland Park, Ill., and arrived in Eugene as the marquee name in what could be an historic recruiting class, is eager to get rolling. “He’s dying to race this weekend,” Lananna said. “I just don’t know if it makes sense or not. We have to be very careful and conscientious on when we open up our guys. “Lukas is very motivated to do really well at the highest level.
