2008 U.S. Olympic Trials - Day 8 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:
- Jennifer Stuczynski sets American Record in pole vault, clearing 16-01.75.
- Aarik Wilson moves from sixth to first on final attempt in triple jump with mark of 57-02.25.
- Allyson Felix clocks 21.82 (5.6w) for 200m title, Lee second, Hooker dives for third.
- Florida State's Walter Dix comes from behind for 200m title in 19.852, Crawford and Spearmon make team.
- David Oliver takes 110m hurdles title, Trammell and Payne also make cut.
- Lolo Jones clocks 12.29 (3.8w) for 100m hurdles title, Cherry and Harper round out team.
- Shannon Rowbury wins 1,500m in 4:05.48 as Donohue and Wurth take 2nd and 3rd.
- Bernard Lagat sprints home for 1,500m title in 3:40.37, Manzano and Lomong to represent U.S. as well.
- Ian Waltz throws 216-01 for discus title, Rome fails to qualify for final.
- Mike Hazle and Leigh Smith only two athletes with Olympic A standard in men's javelin.

Men's 1,500m FINAL: Lagat takes it in stride, Manzano and Lomong make team
• Results

Bernard Lagat split 54.5 for his last lap on his way to the 1,500 meter title in 3:40.37. Former NCAA rivals Leonel Manzano and Lopez Lomong punched their tickets to Beijing, clocking 3:40.90 and 3:41.00 as well.

The start of the race went out slow with the split at 61.4 at the first 400 meters as Lagat held the early lead. Deciding that enough was enough, Gabe Jennings pushed forward with Lagat, Lomong and Manzano still on his shoulders.

"It went out a little slower than what I thought," said Manzano. "We probably went through at 2:00 or 2:01."

Entering the final 500 meters, Said Ahmed went by for the lead, running by Lagat, Lomong, Manzano and Alan Webb. As the final 200 meters approached, Lagat sprinted ahead for the win as Manzano and Lomong held on for second and third.

"My coach told me that there was no pressure [in this race], that I can run with anything that develops," said Lagat. "The goal was to just stay out of trouble. We almost had it happen today, but we were able to get out of it."

William Leer was fourth in 3:41.54 and Alan Webb could not break through, taking fifth in 3:41.62.

Jennings faded badly, taking last place after a gutsy effort to enhance the slow pace during the beginning.

Women's 1,500m FINAL: Rowbury runs perfect race, Donohue and Wurth make team
• Results

Shannon Rowbury hit her stride once again by winning the 1,500 meter final in 4:05.48. Erin Donohue used a great final push over the last 200 meters to grab second in 4:08.20 as Christin Wurth rounded out the final spot for Beijing in 4:08.48.

Rowbury ran the perfect race for a final, letting most of the group do the pacing for her with 2 laps to go. Leading at this point was Lindsey Gallo with Wurth and Rowbury trailing.

"I had a few plans depending on how the race went with the wind, but I just tried to stay relaxed and tried to drive through the finish," said Robury.

As the group faced the bell lap, Rowbury took charge en route to the title while also splitting 2:06 for the last 800 meters.

"I reacted well and was able to bring home the win. I'm so excited because we have a great contingent going to Beijing," said Robury.

High school junior Jordan Hasay came in 10th with her time of 4:17.36.

"I learned a lot of things," said Hasay. "I learned that I can come out and compete and not be intimidated. At the same time, I learned that I still have a lot of work to do to be up there and perform consistently at this level."

Women's 100m hurdles FINAL: Jones dominates for win in windy 12.29, Denby misses Beijing by .007 seconds
• Results

Lolo Jones got out of the blocks the quickest and ran a perfect race over each hurdle, recording 12.29 seconds for the win. Damu Cherry and Dawn Harper will also make the trip with Jones to Beijing, clocking 12.58 and 12.612.

The wind reading was 3.8, although Jones' time tied Gail Devers for the fastest American under any condition.

"It went good and a lot better then I thought because after I had a PR in the semifinals [12.45], it was hard to come back down," said Jones. "My legs felt a little tired and I wondered if I would have enough energy in the tank to get faster."

Jones was in great shape after the third hurdle, hitting every stride. The race was Jones' to lose midway through the race and ended up clearing every hurdle clean.

"I got out really good and then normally it's easy to have a mental lapse, but this time I was like, I'm going for it and not stopping like a train," said Jones.

Nichole Denby, the 2004 NCAA Champion from Texas, clocked 12.619, just .007 seconds away from Dawn Harper who took third.

Kellie Wells, who injured herself after taking second in the first semi-final heat, did not start the race.

Men's 110m hurdles FINAL: Oliver, Trammell, Payne round out top three
• Results

There was no doubt that David Oliver was favored to win this race and the former Howard standout did exactly that with his winning time of 12.95 seconds. Terrence Trammell clocked 13.00 for second and David Payne placed third at 13.25. The wind reading was 3.5.

"I just wanted to make the top-three in the finals," said Oliver. "I am just happy that I was able to do that and get the win."

It was Oliver and Trammell heading into the final three hurdles. Oliver powered over the last hurdle, holding off Trammell for the win.

"I really don't know what happened," said Oliver. "The gun went off and I just started running. I haven't seen the replay even and I don't even know where I was at."

Oliver clocked 12.89 seconds during the semi-finals earlier in the day, with a wind reading over the allowable 2.0 of 3.2. The American Record is 12.90 seconds, set by Dominique Arnold in 2006.

Anwar Moore, competing in lane 2, fell after the last hurdle while still finishing the race for last.

Women's 200m FINAL: Felix hangs on, Lee second, Hooker dives for third
• Results

Allyson Felix will head to Beijing after hanging on for the title in 21.82. Muna Lee, who won the 100 meter title, grabbed second in 21.99 and Marshevet Hooker dove for third in 22.20. It was a windy race as well, thanks to a reading of 5.6 per second.

Felix, who drew lane 5, came off the turn in second as Bianca Knight, out of lane 4, held the lead after a great start. Felix then began to command the race, sprinting the final 100 meters to dash away from the rest of the competition.

"I like to be ahead coming off the curve," said Felix. "My base has been over 400. What I was lacking was the first 50, the first 80. It was a lack of racing, lack of attention."

As Knight faded over the last 50 meters, Lauryn Williams and Hooker pushed ahead to what would be an interesting finish.

Hooker, who finished fourth in the 100 meters, started to dive to the line as her left leg stumbled to the ground and was able to lean forward with her shoulder to take third.

"All I remember is pushing my chest forward because I knew that was going to get me in the race," said Hooker. "I felt good and ran it hard. I didn't feel the pain until after we got over and started doing the awards, but I'm happy to feel every little sting I feel."

Williams ended up taking fourth at 22.21 and Knight clocked 22.25 for fifth.

Men's 200m FINAL: After runner-up in 100, Walter Dix takes exciting 200 title
• Results

Florida State senior Walter Dix came from behind to take an exciting finish to the line in 19.852 seconds which established a new Hayward Field record. Shawn Crawford, the defending Olympic Champion, was second in 19.857. Wallace Spearmon took third place with his time of 19.90.

Coming off the turn, Crawford had the lead with Dix to his left and Spearmon to this right. Dix was closing hard and with 50 meters to go, Crawford began to tie up just a bit to allow Dix to take the lean at the tape -- by .005 of a second.

"It was a great performance," said Dix. "I started to cramp a little at the end, but I finished through and I'm happy I can go back and train and be healthy."

Dix capped off his last few weeks with the NCAA title and now the U.S. Trials title in the 200 meters.

Spearmon also ran an outstanding race, closing his final 100 meters in an unofficial split of 9.3 seconds. Rodney Martin had the unfortunate place of fourth, clocking 19.99.

I plan to run more 400's before the Olympics to touch up the last part of my race and to get stronger," said Spearmon. "This is the first time I've doubled, even though I only ran three rounds of the 100, so I don't know how I'm supposed to feel.

Xavier Carter, scheduled out of lane 7, did not start the race. Carter's agent, Mark Bloch, reports that Carter had bad pain and swelling in his left ankle this morning, the result of bone chips and a bone spur.

Women's Pole Vault FINAL: Stuczynski sets American Record of 16-01.75
• Results

Jennifer Stuczynski nearly scared the crowd even after setting a new American Record of 16-01.75 (4.92m).

Passing at the first six rounds, Stuczynski missed her first two attempts at 4.60m. It was a tense feeling, knowing that if she missed her next jump, a favorite to medal in Beijing would not make the trip.

After clearing her attempt and gasping with relief afterwards, Stuczynski would do just fine on her way to breaking the American Record once again.

"I think I was more happy to make the opening height than the record jump," said Stuczynski. "We had some height progressions in between and that jump I just went with it. I just tried to let my technique carry me through and it worked out."

April Steiner Bennett had a solid series, clearing 15-01 (4.60m) for second, while Erica Bartolina established a lifetime-best height of 14-11 (4.55m).

"This is the meet I was the least nervous for," said Bartolina. "I figured I would either really screw it up or I would make it. I just kept fighting."

Stacy Dragila, after clearing her first two attempts, passed on the fourth round height of 4.45m and then missing all three attempts at 4.50m to tie for seventh with Mary Vincent and Chelsea Johnson.

Men's Triple Jump FINAL: Wilson moves from sixth to first on final attempt
• Results

Aarik Wilson provided fireworks in the triple jump, winning the event on his final leap of 57-02.25 (17.43m) after sitting in sixth place. Kenta Bell, who finished second, was the leader before Wilson's final jump.

"I was just trying to hold it together," said Wilson. "I was so nervous being in fifth place. I saw my coach sweating from a mile away. I was just trying to think of everything he told me and make sure I got to the pit."

Wilson, who suffered a number of injuries over the past few months, came through when it counted and now looks to medal in Beijing.

"I haven't jumped in awhile," said Wilson. "I have a stress fracture so I haven't jumped much since May. Today I felt like I could put one together.

Bell was second with a wind-aided mark of 56-06.50 (17.23m) and Rafeeq Curry placed third at 56-05.75 (17.21m).

"You know what, the second time is better then the first time," said Bell. "This one was harder and I put a lot work into this."

Men's Javelin FINAL: Mike Hazle, Leigh Smith only two to meet Olympic A standard
• Results

Bobby Smith came away as the U.S. Trials Champion with his throw of 249-06 (76.06m), but it was Mike Hazle and Leigh Smith who will head to Beijing as the only two competitors to have an Olympic A standard in the event.

Hazle's second-best throw of 248-07 (75.76m) wasn't the best on the day as everyone had to deal with the swirling winds in Hayward.

"The conditions were pretty tough," said Hazle. "Anytime you have that much wind, whether it's a tail or head wind, it's going to knock it down. It was not ideal at all. I was about 10 meters under what I wanted."

Smith, the winner with his mark of 249-06, was still happy with his performance. "Overall, I had a great year and it's been one hell of a journey," said Smith. "It's just unreal. Today I had the series of my life. Even though I'm not going, I'm still young. It's great being a winner.

Men's Discus FINAL: Waltz king for the day, Rome does not advance
• Results

Ian Waltz came away with the title throw on his first attempt of the final round, with a mark of 216-01 (65.87m). Waltz was on top of his game the entire series, as the only competitor in the field to hit above 210 feet even.

"I went out there in warm-up and basically took it really easy, trying to groove in some technique," said Waltz. "I maybe had some 61 foot throws. The competition started and I felt pretty good. After that, I knew my leg was going to be fine.

Michael Robertson placed second with his mark of 209-01 (63.73m) and Casey Malone was third at 205-07 (62.67m).

"I'm relieved," said Robertson. "After a year of this being my primary concern, my primary goal ... I've centered my life around this. I finally made it. It's a relief more than anything.

Jarred Rome, the 2004 Olympic Trials discus champion and holding the top mark from the qualifying round heading in, did not make it to the final round.

"I had three throws that slipped off my hand and went straight-up into the air," said Rome. "I've never in my career had that happen to me, not even in high school or college. I don't know why it was slipping off my hand.

Rome ended up 11th overall with his throw of 193-05 (58.95m).

Men's 110m hurdles Semifinal: Oliver clocks windy 12.89 to advance
• Results

David Oliver crossed the line in 12.89 seconds with a wind reading over the allowable 2.0 of 3.2. The American Record of 12.90 set by Dominique Arnold in 2006 may be in jeopardy for the final later today.

The performance also ranks as the fourth-fastest time in history regardless of any condition. Terrence Trammell, David Payne and Antwon Hicks also advanced to the final.

Women's 100m hurdles Semifinal: Jones clocks 12.45, Kellie Wells carried off track
• Results

Lolo Jones recorded the fastest time in the world this year at 12.45 to lead a strong group of athletes into the final later today.

Kellie Wells, who placed second with her time of 12.58 in the first heat, immediately fell to the ground after crossing the line and had to be carried off the track. Her appearance for the final looks questionable.

Damu Cherry, Nichole Denby, Dawn Harper and Joanna Hayes also advanced.