EUGENE, ORE. — Former Colorado Buff Stephen Pifer has signed a professional contract with Nike and will move here to train with coach Frank Gagliano and the Oregon Track Club.
Pifer finished seventh in the 5,000 meters Monday night at the Olympic Trials and just missed advancing from the semifinals of the 1,500 meters Friday night. He was second in the 5,000 at the NCAA Championships June 13.
“It was the training atmosphere, sea level, a change of stimulus,” Pifer said of choosing Track Town USA as his training base. “I think that will lead to some more improvements for me.”
Pifer said he’s leaning toward the 5,000 as his event specialty, based on his recent performances, if not his first love.
“Both are great events,” Pifer said. “I just love the dynamics of the 1,500. It’s so fast, it’s kicking and feeling that hurt. The 5K is a slow grind.”
In 2006 Pifer became the first Buff to break 4 minutes for the mile (3:59.55), which is still the school record.
