Day 4: US Track and Field Team Trials

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Another rainy day here in Eugene, but there remained much anticipation for the finals of the Men’s HJ and Javelin, Women’s TJ and Men’s and Women’s 800. Preliminary rounds of the steeple and 5,000 meters also brought out distance fans.

Prelims in the Women’s Steeple kicked things off on the track. Favorites Emma Coburn, Sara Hall and Bridget Franek advanced, but sadly Nicole Bush had an off day and will not move on. The first heat started fast with a 72 split and then settled into 76-78 for the rest of the race. Emma Coburn looked easy and will be joined by her Colorado teammate Shalaya Kipp in the final. The second heat started a bit more conservatively with Sara Hall at the front of a pack that included Franek. Franek took over the last few laps looking like the steeple expert that she is. Hall also looked very good and will be one of the favorites for an Olympic spot.

The men took to the track next. Jager, Cabral and McAdams were the big names moving on to the final from Heat 1 and Huling, Bruce and Alcorn from Heat 2. The men’s final should be exciting as the depth and parity is fantastic.

Next on the track was the Women’s 5,000. Heat 1 started at a painfully slow pace, which continued for several laps (1200 in 4:06) until Renee Metivier Baillie went to the front and dropped a 74. From there the pace heated up with the 11^th lap registering a 68 and the final 200 in 34 as the group of D’Agostino, Culley, Lucas, Infeld and Maier secured their spots in the final with their acceleration. Lisa Uhl also qualified for the final.

Heat 2 moved through the opening laps at a quicker pace than Heat 1. Huddle and Hastings were amongst the group at the front. Once the pace picked up over the final laps, Hastings’ furious kick from the 10,000 meter race just a few nights before got the best of her and she did not make it into the final. The big names from Heat 2 moving on include Huddle, Maloy and local and fan favorite Lauren Fleshman. Fleshman came into the meet with very low mileage due to an ITB issue and has had to be creative with cross training. She was clearly elated with her gutsy last 600 to push past ladies and ensure her spot in the final.

Distance took a breather as the Women’s 800 final got underway. Montano took it out alone in a blistering 55-56 opening lap, just as she did in her semi-heat. The pack looked as though they would catch her with 200 to go, but seemingly ran out of gas on the home stretch. The 2012 team includes Montano, Gall and Schmidt. The race was incredibly close as the top five all ran 1:59.

The Men’s 5,000 was next. Galen Rupp looked at ease as he ran behind the leaders for over half of the race and then moved to the front over the final laps to safely move on to the final. Alan Webb did not advance, finishing last in the first heat. Heat 2 was executed much the same way by Lagat and Lomong. The duo looked to be chatting as they crossed the finish line.

The night concluded with the Men’s 800 Final. Jock led a very fast first lap, but paid the price over the final 200. Nick Symmonds used his standard kick to blast through the final 150 meters, winning the race in the fastest time run by an American at Hayward Field. Joining him in London will be the experienced Robinson and Solomon.

Other notable happenings from Day 4 include Jesse Williams and the HJ Final. Perhaps due to the cold and wet weather, Williams looked uncomfortable throughout the event, finishing 4^th. He will however represent the US in London as one of the men finishing ahead of him does not have the A standard.

Tuesday and Wednesday are rest days for the athletes, with action resuming Thursday. Until then, happy running!  

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Track & Field

This article was written by a WomenTalkSports.com contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own women's sports content.

View therunningeconomist's Full Profile