Pollard nabs silver medal at games

Brandon Pollard, a 2014 Sisters High graduate and incoming sophomore at Gonzaga University, captured the silver medal in the 1,500 meters at the Junior Pan-Am Games on Saturday, August 1, in Edmonton, Alberta.

His U.S. teammate Blake Haney edged Pollard by .02 seconds to win the race. Haney, a sophomore-to-be at Oregon, placed third in the 1,500 at the NCAA Championships in June.  Haney was timed in 3:56.49 to Pollard's 3:56.51

Pollard's performance caps a very successful freshman season in which he established a school record at Gonzaga in the 800 (1:49.88) and moved up to fourth on the all-time 1,500-meter list (3:48.85).

The Pan American games, established in 1980, include athletes from the countries of the Americas and are held every four years in the year before the summer Olympics.

Ten runners toed the line in the final. The pace stayed quite slow for much of the race, according to Pollard.

"We went through the first lap in about 68 and came through 800 in 2:13 and I felt good as we picked it up a little," he said. "With around 500 to go I was in second tucked right on the outside of a fast kid from Mexico and told myself 'I got it' thinking I had an actual shot at winning the race."

Pollard refrained from bolting at the bell lap, but held his position until Haney passed him along with a Canadian runner, with 200 meters to go.

"At that point I just took off and ran for dear life and took the lead into the last 100 meters and held off everyone but Blake," he said.

Pollard could not have been closer to the gold medal, but is not beating himself up over it.

"It's hard to comprehend that just .02 seconds can separate a silver medal from a gold medal, but I am truly just happy I got to compete for the U.S.," he said.

Going into the meet Pollard knew there would be plenty of souvenirs from the trip, but the one thing he really wanted to bring back was a medal. In addition to the medal, Pollard feels he brought back an extra dose of confidence and motivation as well.

"The whole experience definitely helped me trust my racing ability, and I feel that I can compete in any racing scenario. I'm excited for next season because running against guys like Haney (who has a PR of 3:40 in the 1,500) gives me hope that I can compete at that level."

Pollard will return to wearing a Gonzaga jersey under the tutelage of Coach Pat Tyson, who ran for Oregon in the early '70s as a teammate and friend of the legendary Steve Prefontaine.

"I'm excited to get back into a 'Zags jersey and see what I can do in the future under Tyson's plan," he said. "Having this experience of running at the Pan Am Games at the end of my freshman year has been a great way to end the season."

Pollard is the son of Shannon and Don Pollard of Sisters.