2008 U.S. Olympic Trials - Day 1 Report

On-site coverage from Hayward Field - Eugene, Oregon by Tom Borish / Trackshark.com

Trackshark Coverage | Schedule/Results | Videos | Photos | 3,000 Miles to the Trials

Quick recap:

- Shalane Flanagan, Kara Goucher, Amy Begley all meet Olympic A standard in women's 10,000m final.
- Galen Rupp, Matt Tegenkamp breeze through 5,000m qualifying heats.
- Alysia Johnson does not advance in women's 800m qualifying.
- Marshevet Hooker speeds to 10.76 (3.4w) in 100 semi-finals.
- Nicole Leach falls at 7th hurdle in 400 hurdles qualifying.
- Hyleas Fountain sets American Record of 12.65 in the 100m hurdles heptathlon, holds lead after day one.

Women's 10,000m FINAL: Flanagan, Goucher, Begley punch tickets to Beijing

Goucher, Flanagan and Begley all met the Olympic A standard in the women's 10,000 meters to qualify for Beijing (Kirby Lee)

It was the event of the night as Shalane Flanagan captured the women's 10,000 meter final in 31:34.81. Already having the Olympic A standard, Flanagan outraced Kara Goucher during the final 600 meters for the title.

"This is something that all the athletes have been thinking about the past four years and it is a big relief," said Flanagan after the win. "I wanted to come in and prove to myself that I could run fast, while also running championship style tactical races."

Goucher still ran outstanding with her time of 31:37.72 for second place. "I have wanted to be an Olympian for so long. This is a childhood dream," said Goucher.

Perhaps the most amazing feat was from Amy Begley. With no Olympic A standard of 31:45.00 met before the race, Begley sprinted home to just make the team with her third-place time of 31:43.60.

"This is probably the best day ever," said Begley. "Kara [Goucher] and I have been running against each other since we were itty bitty. I wouldn't want to go to Beijing with anyone else."

All three women celebrated in style after realizing they'll be making the trip to Beijing together.

Men's 5,000m: Rupp waves to the crowd across the line

Eugene crowd favorite Galen Rupp took the second heat of the men's 5,000 meters in style by waiving to the crowd and looked impressive with his time of 13:59.14.

Rupp, who is redshirting this season at Oregon to focus on the U.S. Trials, looked comfortable the entire race and then sped home the last 200 meters for the win.

"Coming in, the best thing was to work out the kinks and feel the atmosphere," said Rupp. "That's what it's all about. It was a great dress rehearsal today, and I'm going to get ready for the final."

Former Wisconsin standout Matt Tegenkamp claimed the first heat with his time of 13:54.62.

"It felt pretty good, but it was a good rust-buster," said Tegenkamp after the race. "My goal going into the finals is to make the team. I just need to continue to get the job done."

Bernard Lagat, the defending World Champion in the event, looked smooth and coasted in for qualification to the final. Jonathon Riley, Chris Solinsky, Robert Curtis, Stephen Pifer and Adam Goucher also advanced.

The men's 5,000 meter final will be contested on Monday at 9:40pm.

Men's 800m: Lomong, Wheating impress in opening round

Lopez Lomong sat back the first 600 and cruised in the final 200 to clock the fastest time of the day in 1:46.93. Lomong ran easy the entire stretch even with the excellent time for an opening round. It was such a fast race that 8 of the 10 men in the heat advanced to Saturday's semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the third and final heat matched up NCAA rivals Jacob Hernandez of Texas and Andrew Wheating of Oregon. Hernandez held the lead with 100 meters to go before Wheating, in classic fashion, sprinted the final homestretch to take the race in 1:47.85.

"It felt great. I just went out for another run," said Wheating after his performance.

Hernandez placed third in 1:48.01 while Christian Smith also came on strong to get second in 1:47.97.

Nicholas Symmonds claimed the second heat in 1:49.01 which saw him in the back of the pack most of the race.

The men's semi-finals are scheduled for 4:40pm on Saturday.

Women's 800m: Schmidt and Clark advance, along with 10th grader Laura Roesler

Alice Schmidt was cool, calm and collective during the opening round of the women's 800 meter qualifying. Schmidt's time of 2:03.58 was tops for the day as Hazel Clark managed to turn in the second-best performance at 2:03.65.

"I'm reluctant to cut, so I always slow down and do-si-do with people," said Schmidt. "For a split second I thought, 'pass on the straightaway.' It is no fun to pass on the turn."

The crowd favorite was Laura Roesler running out of the opening heat. Roesler, who just completed the 10th grade, placed fourth to advance to the semi-finals with her time of 2:04.03. Another high-schooler, Chanelle Price, did not advance to the next round.

Alysia Johnson failed to advance after finishing last in the final heat. Johnson did not compete in the finals of the 800 meters at the NCAA Championships due to foot pain even though the MRI came back negative.

The women's semi-final is scheduled for 4:25pm on Saturday.

Women's 100m: Hooker speeds to 4th-fastest all-conditions time in history

Marshevet Hooker clocked 10.76 with a windy 3.4 reading in the semi-finals of the 100 meters (Kirby Lee)

Marshevet Hooker wowed the crowd with her jaw-dropping time of 10.76 (3.4w) during the quarter-finals of the women's 100 meters. Hooker's performance also makes her the 4th-fastest woman in history during all-conditions.

During the first heat, Lauryn Williams got out of the blocks the quickest and led at 50 meters. Hooker then took over the last stages of the race to record the blistering time.

"I wasn't thinking, I was just running. I got out and I saw I was a little behind so I just aligned my body and got after it," said Hooker after the race.

Williams, who also ran under 11 seconds, stated: "This race definitely gave me some confidence. I haven't been under 11 seconds in while, and 10.85 is technically a PR for me. I'm just looking forward to tomorrow."

The usual suspects of Torri Edwards, Carmelita Jeter, Muna Lee, Lauryn Williams and Allyson Felix all advanced.

The women's 100 meter semi-final is scheduled for 3:25pm on Saturday with the final scheduled for 5:48pm, which the last event of the day.

Men's 400m hurdles: Fresh of U.S. Junior title, Jeshua Anderson runs well again

Washington State freshman Jeshua Anderson clocked 49.05 during the opening round of the men's 400 hurdles which also outshined Kerron Clement and Angelo Taylor in the same heat.

Starting out of lane 6, Anderson sped to the first 200 meters with ease then held off Taylor and Clement out of lanes 7 and 8. Anderson enters the U.S. Trials with titles from the NCAA and USA Junior National Championship meets.

Terry Thornton, Bershawn Jackson, Reuben McCoy and Justin Gaymon all advanced with their efforts as well. Michael Tinsley, the former NCAA Champion from Jackson State, was the first athlete to not qualify as well. The semifinal event is scheduled for 3:55pm on Saturday.

Women's 400m hurdles: Ross-Williams strong, Leach falls at 7th hurdle

Tiffany Ross-Williams set the tone in the opening round of the women's 400 hurdles with her top time of 55.47. Ross-Williams looked strong and relaxed during the entire one-lap affair.

"Technically, it was a really good race for me," said Ross-Williams. "I went out and executed very well. I just tried to listen to my coach and pump my arms. I'm starting to peak at the right time and I think that is really important."

Sheena Tosta, Miriam Barnes, Lashinda Demus and Dominique Darden managed to run well while placing in the top three in their respective heats to move on as well.

Nicole Leach of UCLA, who finished second at the NCAA Championships, tripped and fell on the 7th hurdle and was not able to make up ground as she placed last in her heat.

The semifinal is set to take place on Saturday at 4:10pm.

Men's Shot Put: One and done for Nelson, Hoffa and Cantwell

They each took one throw and were able to move on easily. Adam Nelson, Reese Hoffa and Christian Cantwell all took one throw in the opening rounds to move on to Saturday's final.

"We'll see what happens tomorrow. Tomorrow is where is really counts," said Hoffa after qualifying with his first throw.

Men's Long Jump: Pate passes the test, Phillips advances

Miguel Pate was the only athlete to leap over 27 feet during the men's long jump qualifying with a top mark of the day at 27-00.50.

Dwight Phillips, the defending Olympic Champion in the event, also advanced to the final with his easy leap of 26-00.25.

Women's Triple Jump: Shani Marks makes her mark over 47 feet

Shani Marks popped out a leap of 47-00.75 (14.3m) with a wind reading of 2.1 to headline the women's triple jump qualifying.

Erica McLain of Stanford, the NCAA Champion, also advanced with her mark of 45-09.75 (13.96m). Oklahoma's Toni Smith was the top collegian at a leap of 45-10.75 (13.99m).

"On Sunday, I expect to be prepared for anything," said McLain after qualifying. "I know what I am capable of and I am just going to try and come out and do my best."

The women's triple jump final is set for 2:25pm on Sunday.

Men's Pole Vault: Walker makes it look easy

After waiting around what seemed like forever, Brad Walker finally made his first and only attempt at 18-04.50 (5.60m) to qualify to the final. Walker, who set the American Record of 6.04m at Hayward Field during the Prefintaine Classic, passed on the first two opening heights.

"The crowd is great," said Walker. "I jumped an American record here a couple weeks ago, so I think they remember that. The fans are very supportive."

Former Oregon NCAA Champion Tommy Skipper did not clear his opening height of 5.50m which ruled him out of the final.

"I'm really sad, but it wasn't meant to be," said Skipper. "It wasn't in my hands, it was in the Lord's hands. I can't help that my legs cramped up, and I can't do anything without my legs."

Heptathlon: Fountain sets record in 100m hurdles, holds solid lead after day one

Hyleas Fountain scored 3,989 points to hold a solid lead in the hepathlon after the first day (Kirby Lee)

Hyleas Fountain of Nike had an excellent first day, with three personal-best efforts to tally 3,989 points heading into tomorrow's final events. Fountain's time of 12.65 in the 100m hurdles, worth 1,178 points on scoring tables, broke three records. Her time broke the following hepathlon records:

- American record, heptathlon 100m hurdles (12.69, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1988, Seoul)
- Olympic Trials record, heptathlon 100m hurdles (12.71, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1988, Indianapolis)
- USA National Championship record, heptathlon 100m hurdles (12.77, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 1991, NYC)

On setting an American record in the heptathlon 100m high hurdles, Fountain stated: "Definitely, it's like a high. I didn't think I would get the American record, so that was some momentum going into the other events. It means the world to me. I'm really excited to hold that title."

Diana Pickler of Asics sits in second with 3,750 and Jacquelyn Johnson of Nike, who recently finished her collegiate career at Arizona State, is third with 3,717.

"For tomorrow, I just need to focus on the long jump and stay strong," said Pickler. "I don't have any concerns, and am ready for all of the things tomorrow."

Mike Tinsley

08:21, 28 June 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

What in the world happen to this guy