Anderson says 'perfect storm' led to transfer

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Tanner Anderson said Wednesday that it was the culmination of events in June that led to his desire to transfer from the University of Oregon. 

"For me, when I saw the Powells leaving and then I saw the wreckage of Hayward (Field), and my own financial situation, I thought this is the perfect storm," Anderson said. "Never in my career at Oregon would I ever have wanted to leave, but taking a look at my situation, I thought this is the time to go."

Anderson will follow coach Andy Powell to Seattle and will enroll at the University of Washington this fall. He has one season of cross country eligibility left and two seasons of both indoor and outdoor track. 

The former high school cross country national champion from North Central of Spokane -- he won Nike Cross Nationals in 2014 -- was the top finisher for Oregon at last year's NCAA Cross Country Championships, 41st overall. He was also second in the Pac-12 Conference 10,000-meter final in the spring.

"The whole situation has been super delicate," he said. "It's all I've been thinking about until I made my choice about a week ago."

Anderson, a History major, is one of four Oregon runners with close ties to the Powells who have been granted waivers so that they can transfer within the conference. The others are Mick Stanovsek, Katie Rainsberger and Lilli Burdon. 

"The hardest part for me was seeing myself in a different uniform and leaving the guys," Anderson said. "Doing workouts without Cooper (Teare), it's tough."

The loss of Hayward Field for most of the next two years as a racing and workout venue was a factor as well. The new stadium might be ready in time to hold meets in 2020, leading up to the Olympic Trials that July.

Anderson said he met with incoming Oregon coach Ben Thomas and also talked to him over the phone.  

"I only have two years left and if I was a (recent) freshman like Reed (Brown) or Cooper I'd probably stay," Anderson said. "But I have a good progression plan going with Andy and I want to keep it alive."

Andy and wife Maurica Powell coached the distance runners at Oregon for 13 years before departing in mid-June to take over the entire track and field and cross country operations at Washington. Maurica is the Director of Track and Field and Andy has the title of Head Coach.