2008 U.S. Olympic Trials - Day 5 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:

- Anna Willard sets new American Record in steeplechase final at 9:27.59.
- LaShawn Merritt defeats Jeremy Wariner, 44.00 to 44.20, in 400m final.
- Sanya Richards claims 400m title in 49.89 as Wineberg and Trotter also make team.
- Brittney Reese wins women's long jump on final attempt at 22-09.75. Upshaw and Jimoh also make team.
- Jennifer Stuczynski breezes through pole vault qualifying.
- John Godina throws fourth-best mark in discus qualifying.

Women's 3,000m Steeplechase FINAL: Willard takes back American Record
• Results

Willard poses in front of the scoreboard, where she set a new American Record of 9:27.59 (Kirby Lee)

Anna Willard set a new American Record in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with her winning time of 9:27.59. It was an unprecedented run for Willard, who took over the lead with 600 meters to go.

"With 600 to go, I just felt so fantastic, incredible," said Willard. "My foot kept going to the side. I wanted to go. The fifth lap, mentally, is the hardest lap. The second to last water jump, I went early."

The women's 3,000 meter steeplechase will be competed at the Olympics for the first time in history. It's been a high past few days for Willard, who was recently engaged as well.

Lindsey Anderson ran an outstanding time of 9:30.75 for second.

"It is unbelievable. You couldn't ask for a better crowd for this kind of an atmosphere. It was awesome and it is so exciting to come down knowing that I was going to make the Olympic team on that last straight away. There are no words to describe that feeling."

Colorado's Jennifer Barringer, who led most of the race, could not hang with Willard or Anderson over the last 600 meters. The collegiate record holder still kept her head high.

"I'm really proud of my effort," said Barringer. "I thought it was courageous to go out front at the start. I knew an American record would get broken tonight and I'm glad I helped get it there with the pace."

Men's 400m FINAL: Merritt takes down Wariner again
• Results

Merritt clocked 44.00 for the U.S. Trials title, the same exact time that Wariner won the 2004 Olympics with (Kirby Lee)

Once again, LaShawn Merritt took down the king. Without knowing how Jeremy Wariner was doing as Merritt was in lane 6 and Wariner in lane 5, Merritt took out the first 300 meters with a vengeance and held on for the title in 44.00.

"When I got to the curve, I was smelling Beijing and victory, so I just wanted to bring it home," said Merritt. "When I compete, he's [Wariner] not in my pocket, so I'm not worried about beating him. My focus was to cross the line first. I had to prove to myself that I could make this team and compete in Beijing and that's what I did."

Wariner did not get out very well and knew he had his work cut out for him with 100 meters to go. Nonetheless, Wariner's bid for another Olympic title will be justified by taking second in 44.20.

Former Indiana All-American David Neville earned the third spot with his time of 44.61.

"My senior year in high school, after our regional track meet, I'm from Indiana where we have regionals to get ready for state, right there I had an interview and I told the reporter I would be in Beijing," said Neville.

Women's 400m FINAL: Richards gets out fast -- then slow -- then fast
• Results

Richards won by over a second in the women's 400 meter final (Kirby Lee)

Sanya Richards took out the first 100 meters like a 100 meter final. With a huge lead sprinting out of lane 5, Richards then began to coast the backstretch as Mary Wineberg out of lane 4 began to creep up.

"It was so windy on the backstretch today and I knew that was going to play a factor in the time, but I kept telling myself that time doesn't matter here," said Richards. "It is all about finishing in the top three. I went out a little bit slower than I would like to in a major event, but I had to do that because of the wind so my time was good but not great."

Realizing she was perhaps running too relaxed, Richards suddenly put it into another gear with 150 meters to go. Simply too much strength, Richards dipped under 50 seconds to take the title in 49.89.

"I felt really good," said Richards. "I got out really, really fast and then just tried to stay relaxed down the backstretch and then I worked the curve and came in strong. I am feeling like all my hard work is paying off and I definitely felt like the strongest today."

Wineberg came home to earn second with her time of 50.85.

"It feels amazing. I am 28 years old and this is my first Olympics, but hopefully not my last," said Wineberg. "I am so happy and blessed to be here. It's been a long four years of trying to make myself known and I am just so happy to do what I did today. The Lord allowed me to get this far and this is truly a blessing."

There was a great battle for the third and final spot between Dee Dee Trotter and Monique Henderson. The scene was presented just like the men's 800 meters, as Trotter dived to the line to take third from Henderson, 50.88 to 50.98.

"The race was smooth and fast," said Trotter. "I can't wait to watch the replay. This was the hardest part. Our trials are so stressful. This is such a relief to make the team. Now I'm really looking forward to going to Beijing and getting a medal or even two with the 4x400-meter relay team. I love this track, because it's so fast. It didn't feel like the usual 400 meters."

The top four women were the only in the field to at least crack 51 seconds.

Women's Long Jump FINAL: Reese steals the show on her last jump
• Results

Reese claimed the long jump on the final attempt with a U.S. leading mark of 22-09.75 (Kirby Lee)

Brittney Reese seems to have made the right decision by leaving Ole Miss early and signing a pro contract with Nike. The NCAA Champion can now add a U.S. Trials title to her list of accolades, winning the long jump with a mark of 22-09.75 (6.95m).

It was a dramatic ending to the event, as Grace Upshaw held the lead at 22-07 (6.88m). Heading into her final jump, Reese gave it her all and the crowd new it was a big leap right away to take the win.

"Grace [Upshaw] jumped a 27 so I was like I can do that," said Reese. "My last jump I just said in my head you can do this. I have been practicing so hard I just went for it."

With Upshaw still taking second, Funmi Jimoh earned the final qualifying spot with her mark of 22-00.75 (6.72m).

"It was the third-round jump and I definitely relaxed a little bit," said Upshaw. "The winds were strong, so my coach thought I needed more runway to really attack the board, but nothing quite fit as well as that third jump. I am grateful and I also got a PR, which didn't really surprise me because I know how I have been jumping in practice."

Jimoh had an outstanding meet, taking third place and said of her performance: "This means everything. I am very blessed to be here and this is what I wanted. This is a culmination of all the training I have done up unto this point."

Hyleas Fountain, the Heptathlon Champion, managed to get fourth at 21-11.75 (6.70m).

Men's 1,500m Quarterfinal: Lomong makes a statement for Manzano
• Results

Heat one: Gabe Jennings put in enough effort to take the first heat in 3:44.39, the slowest winning time from all three heats. Steve Sherer clocked 3:44.71 for second and Rob Myers came through in 3:44.81 for third.

Heat two: Lopez Lomong and Leonel Manzano ran together the entire race as the one-time collegiate rivals were pitted against each other for the second heat.

With a solid pace, Manzano decided to take the lead with 300 meters to go. Lomong did not give up that easy, even for a qualifying run, to take the win in 3:43.38 and point to the crowd in the process. Lomong immediately left the track and pointing to the crowd as if he just hit the winning jumper.

"It felt great today out there today and we'll just see how it goes tomorrow," said Lomong.

Manzano was a close second in 3:43.41 while Stanford's Russell Brown took third in 3:43.79.

A.J. Acosta of Oregon fell with 600 meters to go and could never make the ground back up.

Heat three: Stanford's Garrett Heath decided to take the third heat out hard, hitting 1:1:43 with 2 laps to go. Alan Webb was sitting second behind Heath with 500 to go. Surprisingly, Bernard Lagat was last in the tight pack with one lap to go. Lagat moved up during the backstretch to move into 5th. Webb kicked it in over the last 200 meters, coming through the line in 3:41.27 for the win.

"This was the first time ever I really looked forward to running the rounds," said Webb. "The way this year has gone I needed to spread my wings and feel good. It was nice to be able to ease up at the end. It's just the quarterfinals and I needed to qualify."

Said Ahmed turned in 3:41.92 for second, Christopher Lukezic ran well with his time of 3:42.10 for third and Lagat was fourth in 3:42.11.

Everyone in heat three advanced to the semi-final, set to go at 8:05pm on Friday.

Women's 1,500m Quarterfinal: Wurth, Rowbury look impressive, Felnagle drops out
• Results

Heat one: Christian Wurth ran the race just the way she wanted, which was comfortable and relaxed. Winning in 4:13.40, Wurth looks to be in solid shape after opening her Olympic Trials.

"It felt easy today," Wurth stated. "We were kind of going so slow that it was almost uncomfortable."

A name that we haven't heard from in a while was Tiffany McWilliams. Running on the shoulder of Wurth the entire race, McWilliams planned the race well and finishing second in 4:13.54 while Mary Jayne Reeves took third in 4:13.89.

North Carolina's Brianna Felnagle did not finish the race after an outstanding season at the collegiate ranks.

Heat two: High schooler Jordan Hasay was a late entry and took out the first 200 meters in 51 seconds for the lead. No matter what happens here, she will compete in the World Junior Championships next week. Shannon Rowbury was in second position at 2:22.35 for 800 meters. With one lap to go, Hasay still held the lead at 3:14.

Rowbury then took the lead with 300 meters to go and ended up with the victory at 4:16.13.

"It is nice to finally get to race," said Rowbury. "It has been awhile since I got to race. I was just so excited to get out there. It is always weird with the trials because your primary goal is just to move on, so it is hard going in with that mentality but it also helps relax you."

Erin Donohue also looked solid, placing second in 4:16.84. Villanova's Frances Koons placed third in 4:17.86.

Hasay ended up 7th with a time if 4:18.39 and will be off to compete at the World Junior Championship meet.

"I was expecting not to lead," said Hasay. "I'm still learning so I went out for the first 300 (meters). I'm happy I could take the lead and help them (the other runners) qualify and save energy for tomorrow. Now I feel ready for World Juniors."

Heat three: Emily Anderson and Tennessee's Sarah Bowman too the early lead, splitting 1:29 for the first 400 meters. Arkansas' Dacia Barr moved ahead with 2 laps to go as Bowman and Anderson moved back to the second and third position.

Treniere Clement quickly moved up to take the lead at the bell lap. Bowman started to fade, then moved up over the backstretch to move into fourth. Former Michigan standout Lindsey Gallo made her move with 100 to go and ended up taking the win in 4:4:17.01.

"It went really well out there," said Gallo. "I just wanted to get my legs going a little and have a clean run, making it into the next round."

Clement held on for second in 4:17.33 and Bowman placed third in 4:17.48.

The semifinals are scheduled for 8:25pm on Friday.

Men's 3,000m Steeplechase Semifinal: Famiglietti takes it out hard and comes away upbeat
• Results

Heat one: Anthony Famiglietti put his name in the hat was perhaps the one to beat after taking out the first heat hard and coming through with his win at 8:25.17.

Colorado's Billy Nelson also ran fast, with his time of 8:26.17 for second in the heat.

"It went out a little quick," said Nelson. "We were above what pace I wanted to go. Also I said if the pace was going fast enough I was going to try and get the "A" standard in the prelim because I don't have it yet."

Joshua McAdams was third in 8:26.47 and Corey Nowitzke took fourth in 8:27.78.

Heat two: The second heat wasn't as fast as the first, but Benjamin Bruce and Arizona State's Kyle Alcorn both looked solid crossing the line nearly together in 8:32.57 and 8:32.70.

"I kind of took my college season light in May and April to prepare for this and I think it has helped so far," said Alcorn.

Jordan Desilets, the 2004 NCAA Champion while at Eastern Michigan, took third place with his time of 8:34.74 and Jacques Sallberg was fourth in 8:34.83.

The final is slated for 2:45pm on Saturday, which is also the last event of the day.

Men's High Jump Qualifying: Nearly everyone makes it, Kyle Lancaster does not leave a mark
• Results

All of the major players in line for the high jump title cleared 7-02.50 (2.20m) to earn their spot to the final round, set to go on Saturday at 12:55pm.

On his performance today, Dusty Jonas said: "Not great, but I made it to the finals. I had some really good jumps and some really bad jumps. Just fix a few kinks out and I will be ready to go on Saturday. I think everything will be just fine."

Jesse Williams made it look easy and stated: "It went awesome today. I took one jump and was done. It was effortless and I am ready to set a personal best and break a record or two."

Kyle Lancaster did not make the opening height of 2.15m.

Men's Discus Qualifying: Rome has his practice run, Godina throws well
• Results

Pre-meet favorite Jarred Rome threw very well on his first attempt at 206-10 (65.05m). Knowing immediately that he was on his way, Rome treated his final two throws as practice rounds.

"I was just trying to go like 75 percent on the first one because I knew anything over 60 or 61 was pretty much going to make the finals," said Rome "I just wanted to get a nice, easy throw in and it turned out to be my best. The next two were practice throws."

Matt Lamb, Ian Waltz and John Godina rounded out the next top marks from qualifying. Godina, a three-time World Outdoor Shot Put Champion, is giving it his final go for the Olympics in the discus.

"No news is good news on these days because the fun stuff really begins in a few days," said Godina. "My goal is just to make the team and that's all I care about."

The final is set to take place at 2:20pm on Sunday.

Women's Pole Vault Qualifying: Stuczynski passes, passes, and makes it simple
• Results

American Record holder Jennifer Stuczynski didn't waste any time by showing just who is the favorite, by clearing her first and only attempt at 14-01.25 (4.30m) after passing on the first two rounds.

"Qualifying rounds are always stressful, but I think it went all right," said Stuczynski. "Obviously, my goal is to be in the top-three. It all comes down to the finals now and I am prepared to jump what I need to."

Stacy Dragila also cleared the same height and will look to make the trip to Beijing after winning the first Olympic title in 2000.

"It was fun being out there and being in a big competition again," said Dragila. "I tried to execute and I think I did better than I expected. We didn't know what to expect (with the wind) and I always try to play it safe. Now I just need to rest up for the finals."

The final will be contested on Sunday at 3:40pm.

Women's Hammer Throw Qualifying: Cosby throws big on her first attempt
• Results

Jessica Cosby breezed through the hammer throw, coming away with the top mark of the day at 228-08 (69.70m) on her first and only attempt.

Loree Smith put in the second-best throw of the day, at 223-03 (68.06m) and felt great during the opening round.

"I felt good out there," said Smith. "The first couple throws I was just easing into it and knocking off the cobwebs. I'm feeling warm now and excited for the finals."

The final is scheduled for 1:10pm on Saturday.

Women's Shot Put Qualifying: Carter impressive over 60-feet
• Results

Michelle Carter opened up the U.S. Olympic Trials with a bang, hitting 60-01.75 (18.33m) to take the top throw of the day in the women's shot put qualifying.

Jillian Camarena, who's competing for the first time this outdoor season after surgery, came away with the second-best mark at 58-07.50 (17.87m).

The Arizona State duo of Jessica Pressley and Sarah Stevens also advanced to Saturday's final scheduled for 1:50pm.

"I just need to take it one step at a time and hopefully I can go out there and make the team, which is the biggest goal," said Stevens.