Walker's Pace: Kent, Williams to Dunk Off on Sunday

Friday, January 6, 2011

Track fans might want to check out Sunday's exciting dunk exhibition arranged by the fine folks at the Oregon Track Club/TrackTown12.

It's World high jump champion Jesse Williams versus Duck three-sport letterman and all-around nice guy Jordan Kent in a collosal dunk-off at halftime of the Oregon-California basketball game. (Click here to get tickets).

Here's the official release from the OTC:

Local hero and 2011 World Champion high jumper Jesse Williams will take on former Oregon three-sport letterman Jordan Kent in a dunk contest at halftime of the Oregon-California men's basketball game on Sunday. Tipoff is at 4:30 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.  

Williams, who stands at just a hair over 6-feet tall, was the world's top high jumper in 2011, with a best height of 7-feet, 9 ¼ inches. That's nearly two feet over his head. Williams, who has been living and training in Oregon since 2008 and joined the Oregon Track Club Elite team in 2010, has a two-step vertical leap of more than 50 inches.

The 28-year old is setting his sights on Olympic gold in London this summer.  Lucky for all of us, that train stops right here in Eugene for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field. Athletes hoping to comprise what is the best track & field team in the world, will converge on TrackTown USA from June 22 - July 1. Williams will compete at Hayward Field on June 22 and June 24 in the prelims and finals of the men's high jump.

Kent, who became Oregon's first three-sport letterman in more than 50 years by excelling in track, football and basketball, is a wildcard for a spot on the Olympic team. A former 200- and 400-meter runner for the Ducks, Kent had a short stint in the NFL before trading in his cleats for track spikes and the opportunity to represent Team USA in London. He still owns a piece of Oregon 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay records and ranks sixth all-time at the school in the 200 meters (20.82).

The explosive duo of Kent and Williams will have center court to themselves after an action-packed first half of basketball.

Prior to the game, Williams will be signing autographs in the Northeast corner of Matthew Knight Arena. Tickets to Sunday's basketball game and dunk-off are available at goducks.com or in person at the Matthew Knight Arena box office.

All-session tickets for the 2012 Olympic Trials are currently on sale at www.TrackTown12.com.

Purchase 2012 Olympic Trials tickets.

2011 Oregon Cross Country Guide.

2011 Oregon Track & Field Multi-Media Guide.

2011 Season Bests.