2008 U.S. Olympic Trials - Day 3 Report

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

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Quick recap:

- Tyson Gay sets new wind-aided world record of 9.69 (4.1w) in the 100m.  Dix, Patton also make team.
- Trevell Quinley wins long jump on last attempt, defending Olympic Champion Dwight Phillips finishes fourth.
- Bershawn Jackson clocks 48.17 for 400m hurdles title, as Kerron Clement, Angelo Taylor qualify.
- Tiffany Ross-Williams claimed women's 400m hurdles, collegian Queen Harrison and Sheena Tosta make the cut.
- Only two women, Shani Marks and Erica McClain, met Olympic A standard in triple jump.
- Derek Miles wins men's pole vault, 40-year old Jeff Hartwig and Brad Walker advance to Beijing.
- Aretha Thurmond takes women's discus throw at 213-11.
- Bryan Clay holds slim lead over Trey Hardee in decathlon after first day.

Men's 100m FINAL: Gay scorches track in 9.68 (4.1w) as fastest performer ever

Gay is now the fastest performer ever, regardless of any condition, in the 100 meters (Kirby Lee)

If his American Record of 9.77 wasn't enough, Tyson Gay still had much to serve on the table clocking a new wind-aided world-record time of 9.86 seconds. With a wind reading of 4.1, the performance is the fastest ever in any condition. Gay had a great start out of lane 4 and sped the entire length of the track without any hesitation.

On running 9.68, Gay explained: "It means a lot to me. I'm glad my body went that fast. It's a pretty good feeling and I hope I'm ready for the 200 meters."

On the time being wind-aided, Gay added: "I wasn't disappointed. I just wanted to make the team, but I can tell when the wind started to pick up when I got into the blocks. I've been running track long enough to know when the wind is going to be over 2.0."

Florida State's Walter Dix, who turned down many pro contract offers last season, punched his ticket to Beijing finishing second in a new NCAA all-conditions and personal-best of 9.80.

"The NCAA Championships really helped my confidence, showed that I had my speed back," said Dix on his performance. "It all happened so quick. When you are running, you can't tell anything. I just ran to win and all I could think of when I saw the time was ‘that's pretty fast.'"

Darvis Patton was able to outlean Clemson's Travis Padgett at the line, 9.84 to 9.85.

"I am in disbelief right now because I have gotten fourth a couple of times," said Patton after the race. "I am just grateful for this opportunity."

Men's 400m Hurdles FINAL: Jackson, Clement and Taylor put together a solid team

Jackson crossed the line in 48.17 to claim the 400 hurdles title (Spencer Allen)

Bershawn Jackson was the man in a deep field, taking the title in 48.17. Starting out of lane 5, Jackson ran strong the entrie race, never hitting one hurdle staying in stride around the track.

"I got out very hard," said Jackson of his performance. "The wind played a big factor in the race today. I just wanted to relax as much as possible and not fight the wind and concern as much energy as possible. The main thing was to come home strong and have a kick because I knew it was going to be a tight race."

Kerron Clement, running out of lane 6, earned the second spot to Beijing with his time of 48.36. Clement fought hard to the line, coming off the last hurdle in fourth place.

"I stuttered my steps and that messed me up going into the last hurdle," said Clement about the last stretch. "I just finished and I thank God for that."

Angelo Taylor, who is also scheduled to compete in the open 400 meters, took the last qualifying spot in 48.42.

Describing his race, Taylor said: "I told myself I just wanted to be in the mix up in the front at hurdle 10; at that point I saw that I was in fifth place, so I just gave it all I had, and at the finish I saw that I was third."

Georgia's Justin Gaymon just missed out on making the cut with his fourth-place time of 48.46.

Women's 400m Hurdles FINAL: Ross-Williams makes her dream come true

Ross-Williams celbrates after her victory in the women's 400m hurdles (Kirby Lee)

Tiffany Ross-Williams came in as the favorite and she did not disappoint. The former South Carolina standout led the final 100 meters and continued to hold on strong to the line with her clocking of 54.03.

"I thought I would run faster, but I thank God for the victory and I did what my coach wanted me to do," said Ross-Williams after the run. "This is something I've dreamt of all my life. It's a great honor and I dedicate this to my family, for all they've done to support me. Now I'm going to go back and train with my coach, so I can get a medal. I just need to stay healthy and I know I will have a good chance to medal."

Queen Harrison of Virginia Tech was the lone collegian in the race and took second in 54.60 despite Miriam Barnes falling in her lane. It was an amazing feat for Harrison who did not compete at the NCAA Championships just a few weeks ago after suffering the injury in the third leg of the 4x100-meter relay.

On the hurdler who fell in her lane, Harrison said: "I had to go around her and jump at the same time, so it was my extra hurdle. Stuff like that happens all the time. I came to do my best and I had to build my confidence after my hamstring injury."

Sheena Tosta took third to round out the team heading to the Olympics with her time of 54.62.

After taking the final spot for the U.S. team, Tosta said: "I am kind of happy because my last two years, including 2004, three of the last four years I have ran my fastest time at nationals and come later on the in season, I haven't been able to come back down. So it is really good to know I have more in the tank."

Lashinda Demus was the first to not earn the trip with her fourth place performance of 54.76. After the race, it was initially ruled that Demus was disqualified anyways for hooking the 7th hurdle - her foot was judged to have gone around, instead of over, the hurdle. After a protest, Demus was granted fourth place after all.

Men's Pole Vault FINAL: The ageless Hartwig earns his spot, along with Miles and Walker

40-year old Jeff Hartwig advanced to Beijing by earning second (Spencer Allen)

Derek Miles came away as the champion in the men's pole vault with his clearance of 19-00.25 (5.80m). Miles was the first to clear the height as Jeff Hartwig and American Record holder Brad Walker already knew their fate was making the team.

"Unfortunately, I think it was going to be one of those deals where you never know what you are going to get." said Miles after the competition. "Fortunately I got lucky for most of my jumps. I got a calm little wind. I don't know if it was just living right or what. It kind of worked out great."

The 40-year old Hartwig wrapped up second with his vault of 18-08.25 (5.70m). On his many years of experience, Hartwig said: "I think the experience definitely plays a big factor in there because it is so hard to come into a situation like an Olympic trial where you are thinking about trying to make everything on the first attempt so you don't want to make any bad decisions."

Walker, the American Record holder set at Hayward Field during the Prefontaine Classic, had a tough time enuring the wind but still managed to take third in 18-06.50 (5.65m). On the wind, Walker said: "That fiberglass catches wind pretty bad and it turns your body sideways and it puts you in a position where you can't leave the ground sometimes so I actually ran throw a couple of those because I couldn't line it up. I didn't have enough time to square back up."

Men's Long Jump FINAL: Quinley wins on last attempt, Phillips finishes fourth

Trevell Quinley made the long jump perhaps the most exciting field event of the day, grabbing the title on his last jump at 27-05.25 (8.36m). Quinley knew right away after landing in the pit that his leap was one to remember, as did the Hayward Field crowd, who stood up in joy right away.

"I just had to shake the cobwebs off during the first couple of jumps and I was able to relax a little bit after the second jump, but then I had two fouls and then made the fifth jump and put some pressure on the guys," said Quinley after his victory. "Really, I have never been so scared though after that fifth jump because you have the former Olympic champion and you can never count him out. It's going to take 28 feet to get a gold medal. All of us are capable."

Brian Johnson earned his trip to Beijing, leaping to 27-02.75 (8.30m) for second overall.

"Overall, I felt good," said Johnson. "I am on the team. I wanted to win, but I let it slip away from me, but I guess the biggest thing is I am on the team and I live to go to Beijing."

Miguel Pate's third jump at 26-11.75 (8.22m) ended up being the mark that pushed out Dwight Phillips, the defending Olympic Champion, from making the team. Phillips ended up with a mark of 26-11 (8.20m).

"The main thing was to get on the team and that is what happened," said Pate on making the team. "The jumping? I wanted to jump a little further but at the same time the goal was to get on the team and that is what happened. You have to take that. You have to be happy with that. That is what it is all about."

Women's Triple Jump FINAL: Shani Marks and Erica McClain only two to make Olympic A standard

Stanford graduate Erica McClain earned a spot in the triple jump as already meeting the Olympic A standard earlier this season (Spencer Allen)

The women's triple jump featured great competition and a near-miss for one competitor. Two-time defending U.S. Outdoor Champion Shani Marks was the class of the field, winning with a mark of 14.38m/47-2.25 (+1.4mps).

"Well it all hasn't quite sunk in yet," said Marks after her win. "You know this has been the goal for five years so to actually finally get there I am overwhelmed and just really thankful and really, really excited."

Veteran Shakeema Welsch was second with 14.27m/46-10.0 (+3.5mps) and 2005 USA champion Erica McClain was third with 13.96m/45-9.75 (+0.4mps).

"I didn't have the best performance, but thank God for having the A Standard before coming in here," said Stanford graduate after the competition.

Marks and McClain entered the Olympic Trials already with the Olympic "A" standard of 14.20m, necessary to compete in Beijing.

Although Welsch exceeded 14.20m in Eugene, her mark was wind-aided so will not be accepted as an A standard. Marks and McClain will represent Team USA in at the Olympics.

- thanks to Jill Geer of USATF for this report.

Women's Discus FINAL: Thurmond's throw of 205-06 ends up on top

Thurmond takes her victory lap around Hayward Field after the win (Spencer Allen)

Aretha Thurmond came up big with her winning throw of 213-11 (65.20m).

"It's been an exciting comeback and I am just enjoying motherhood," said Thurmond after her title throw. "I think today was just momma-power out there. Everything happens for a reason and it just kept me motivated. None of this would be possible without family support."

Suzy Powell-Roos earned second with her mark of 206-05 (62.92m).

"I am obviously very pleased to be back on the Olympic team," Powell-Roos said. "I thought I competed well. I still feel like I had a couple more meters left in me. I know for sure my best throw is still ahead of me. I haven't thrown nearly what I am capable of yet, but it is a big honor to be back on the team. I am just thankful."

Stephanie Brown Trafton earned third place with a throw of 205-06 (62.65m). All three met the Olympic A standard.

Men's 400m Quarterfinal: Wariner, Merritt, Larry move on

Heat one: LaShawn Merritt had the best lane at 4 on the track and put in the best time at 45.30. It was an easy race for Merritt who looked to his left and right with 100 meters to go. Baylor's LeJerald Betters took second in 45.46 and Greg Nixon placed third in 45.74. Andrew Rock, who's been suffering with a minor injury all season long, did not start the race.

Heat two: Jeremy Wariner managed to get lane 8 as it still did not detour him to the top time in the heat at 46.04. Wariner got out slow and had to speed through the final turn to give him enough space over the last 100 meters. Wariner looked around and wTysas able to jog the last 40 meters. Erison Hurtault and David Neville cleaned up the next two spots in 46.25 and 46.41.

Heat three: Lionel Larry of USC, sporting the USA singlet from the 2007 World Championships, looked great the entire lap and held off a solid field to win the third heat in 45.89. Former Baylor standouts Reggie Witherspoon and Darold Williamson took in the next two spots at 45.94 and 46.00.

Heat four: Baylor's Quentin Iglehart-Summers took the top spot in 45.87 looking good over the last 200 meters. Two more collegians, Calvin Smith of Florida and Jordan Boase of Washington, took second and third. Angelo Taylor, who finished third in the 400 hurdles just under an hour earlier, false started out of lane 3 to try and give himself more time to rest. It was a difficult double to attempt in the first place, as Taylor simply ran out of gas at the 250 meter mark and dropped out of the race.

Women's 400m Quarterfinal: Richards, Winebug make it look easy

Heat one: Mary Wineburg, running out of lane 8, took the first heat easily in 51.46. Wineburg ran relaxed and with ease the entire lap around the track.

"Overall, I think it went well for the first round," said Wineburg after the race. "I just wanted to come out and win my heat and advance to the second round."

Monique Henderson also looked good with her time of 52.24 competing in lane 5. Ashlee Kidd was third with her performance of 53.32. Francena McCorory of Hampton, who is coming off a series of injuries including a car accident earlier in the year, did not look herself crossing the line in 57.73.

Heat two: This race featured the last two NCAA Outdoor Champions in former South Carolina standout Natasha Hastings and Shana Cox of Penn State. Hastings, running in lane 7, came from behind to claim the second heat in 51.51.

"I felt very good about my race," said Hastings after the win. "My last few races have been shaky so we made some adjustments the last couple weeks in my training. I am really out here kind of testing things out at the same time so for me to run and feel the way I felt today I am very confident going into the semifinals."

Cox got out very well and led with 100 meters to go from lane 3, managing to grab third in 51.69. Shareese Woods finished strong out of lane 8, taking second at 51.60.

Heat three: Sanya Richards did not have any problems opening her U.S. Trials with the victory in 51.08. Holding a solid lead with 100 meters to go, Richards held back to save her focus for the semi-finals tomorrow.

"I haven't had any flare ups since January 1," said Richards about her injuries during the year. "Recovery is very important to me. I am still on medication, and I need to keep my stresses low. In my mind, it's gone, but I still have to take precautions."

Just to Richards' outside in lane 5 was Ebonie Floyd, who, held her head high finishing second in 51.60. Brandi Cross of South Carolina clocked 51.63 for third.

Heat four: It took some work, but Dee Dee Trotter still managed to take the fourth heat in 51.07. Starting in lane 8, Trotter did not get out well and was in the middle of the pack at the 250 meter mark. Realizing she needed to turn up the heat, Trotter did exactly just that and pumped her way home for the win. Debbie Dunn earned second with her time of 52.20 and Monica Hargrove also moved on at 52.36.

The semi-final is scheduled for 7:10pm on Monday.

Men's 100m Semi-Final: Gay cruises, Spearman and Williams miss finals by .001

Gay eased up to the finish line during the semi-finals of the 100 meters (Spencer Allen)

Heat one: Tyson Gay sped to the win with his time of 9.85. Heading out of the blocks with what some would call a bad start, Gay made up ground quickly at the 50 meter mark and was able to relax with 20 meters to go, saving energy for the final later today.

"I was a little fatigued, but it felt pretty good," said Gay after the race.

Walter Dix of Florida State (9.93), Rodney Martin (10.08) and Xavier Carter (10.086) took the rest of the qualifying spots. Ivory Williams missed out by .001 seconds.

Heat two: Clemson's Travis Padgett, the new NCAA record-holder from his performance yesterday, got out of the blocks the quickest. Darvis Patton easily overtook the lead with 60 meters to go and clocked 10.04 for the win. Padgett got second in 10.11, Dixon was third at 10.17 and Michael Rodgers was fourth in 10.178. Wallace Spearmon, just like Ivory Williams in the first heat, missed the final by .001 seconds.

High school record-holder Jeffery Demps did not mange to make it to the finals with his last-place performance of 10.34.

The final will be competed at 4:49pm later today.

Men's Decathlon: Clay, Hardee, Pappas in solid shape after day one

Trey Hardee had a solid first day in the decathlon, scoring 4,454 points and leaping 25-05.25 in the long jump (Spencer Allen)

First day scores: Bryan Clay (4,476), Trey Hardee (4,454), Tom Pappas (4,405), Jangy Addy (4,249), Ashton Eaton (4,226).

"With the way training has been going I really am doing horrible," said Clay even after leading into the final day. "My training has been absolutely amazing. I didn't put it all together today like I should have. Normally, I am pretty good about doing that."

100 meters: Bryan Clay looks to bounce back from injuries over the past few outdoor seasons. The 2008 World Indoor heptathlon champion got off to a fast start in his signature event, the 100 meters, with a top time of 10.39. The entire field sprinted into a slight headwind which still produced solid times across the board. Trey Hardee clocked 10.43 and NCAA Champion Ashton Eaton of Oregon managed to cross the line in 10.61.

Long Jump: Tom Pappas lead the way in the long jump with the best mark of the day at 25-06 (7.77m). The former Tennesee standout picked up 1,002 points in the process. Trey Hardee set a personal-best with a leap of 25-05.25 (7.75m) to earn the second-best mark and scored 997 points. Bryan Clay hit 24-03 (7.39m) for the sixth-best mark. After two events, Hardee holds the lead over Clay, 1,989 to 1,909.

Bryan Clay takes the lead into day two with his score of 4,476 (Spencer Allen)

Shot Put: Tom Pappas continues to have an outstanding start in the two field events so far, leaving everyone else in the dust with his heave of 56-07.50 (17.26m) in the shot put. Pappas racked up 929 points and holds the lead over Trey Hardee and Bryan Clay with 2,814 points. Recent Tennesee grad Jangy Addy came away with the second-best throw of the day at 51-03.50 (15.63m). Clay was fifth with his throw of 49-09.25 (15.17m) while Hardee took ninth at 46-02 (14.07m).

High Jump: Although Bryan Clay got the overall win in the event, he provided quite the drama entering at 1.90m. Missing his first two attempts, a third miss would mean Clay would not make the U.S. Olympic Team, which brought back memories of Dan O'Brien no-heighting in the pole vault at the 1992 U.S. Trials in New Orleans. With the weight on his shoulders, Clay was able to clear his third attempt and move on easily after that, clearning 2.08m for the event win. Clay managed to hold the overall lead with 3,587 points, with Tom Pappas and Trey Hardee in second and third.

400m: It was scripted to be Ashton Eaton's event and he came away with the top time in the one lap event at 47.07, scoring 955 points. The NCAA Champion from Oregon currently sits in fifth place with his tally of 4,226. Trey Hardee (47.99), Bryan Clay (48.41) and Tom Pappas (49.80) secured their day as the top three overall heading into tomorrow.