UO release – EUGENE, Ore. — When UO freshman Shana Grebo returned to Eugene with the French team for the World Athletics Championships, it was with humble goals in mind. Grebo and the rest of France’s 4×400-relay team were just hoping to make the final of their event at Oregon22 in Hayward Field. So when they checked that box Saturday in the preliminaries, it required some recalibration. Sure, a medal was the ultimate goal. But even a top-five finish, Grebo said after prelims, would be an accomplishment. Fast forward to Sunday, and the final event of Oregon22, the women’s 4×400. Grebo ran the second leg for France. The UO record-holder in the 400 hurdles got the stick with her team in fifth place, she handed off with France still in fifth, and that was their finishing position, in 3:25.81. For Grebo, just a freshman, there was much to celebrate. But also, much to anticipate in the future. “We’re happy, and we embrace this moment with place number five,” Grebo said. “But we’re still hungry for more and for the next championships: European (this August). And then Budapest 2023, we’ll be there with super big ambitions.” The women’s 4×400 capped the 10 days of Oregon22 in Hayward Field, as well as the marathons and race walks staged at Autzen Stadium. Team USA swept both 4x400s Sunday and was crowned team champions of the meet for accumulating a meet-record 33 total medals, 13 of those gold. The championships saw three world records set — Sydney McLaughlin of the United States in the 400 hurdles Friday, and both Tobi Amusan of Nigeria in the 100 hurdles and Armand Duplantis of Sweden in the pole vault Sunday.
