Olympic Trials at the break

Having attended a number of the US Olympic trial for track including the last two in Sacramento, it must be noted what a pleasure this has been. Eugene has presented track in a very positive manner.

To start with, the crowds have been large, vocal, and especially knowledgeable. A glowing example of this occurred last night when the men contested the finals of the 5k. At Sacramento, when the distance races were held at the end of the day, the stands emptied as ‘fans’ fled to their cars. We must concede it made exiting the parking lots far easier for us after the distance races were held, but it said little to the savvy nature of the fans. Although a few people may well have left, the stadium was filled with people cheering their favorites. It was a knowledgeable crowd as well for they realized the pace in the finals was faster and, hence, more interesting.

This is track, as it should be presented, and it starts with entry. In Sacramento, it took a minimum of 45 minutes to wait in line while in this edition I’ve yet to spend more than 15 minutes. As in Sacramento, water could not be brought into the stadium but in Oregon once entry to the stadium has been accomplished, there are many places to refill your containers, and you do not have to buy it. Speaking of water, the sinks at the stadium have flowing water, and all the toilets work. Imagine that! The fact has been especially noted by females, who have been able to spend more time watching the races and less time standing in line waiting to get into a working lavatory.

It’s been hot in Eugene reaching 96 on one day but it should be noted that the East and West grandstands have covering, so most fans don’t have to take the brunt of the sun. More to the point, you don’t have to pick up a paper just to place it on your seat to keep from roasting your bottom on the bleachers – the word bleachers was an understatement in Sacramento.

This is a different event with a true effort to make the day more enjoyable and less stressful. Parking is ample in nearby Autzen stadium with a goodly supply of shuttles to ease the traffic burden. Beyond that imagine having valet parking for bicycles (as Sacramento did)! If you can fathom that now try valet parking for skateboards. Someone here has thought ahead about things. Add to this the police are friendly. We’ve even been asked if we are having a good time or need anything. Happily, it appears that the officers were recruited from the Willamette Valley. In Sacramento, I’d received the impression they came from the Ruhr Valley. ‘Have a nice day’ might have originated in California but it actually means something in Eugene.

There is a different spirit here, which has been attested to by a number of fans, who we have overheard and it seems to purvey the overall scene. There is a certain pleasure just to be a part of this and even a long-time fan such as Pat Tyson, who once ran and roomed with Pre, has noted it. That spirit has been in evidence on the part of the athletes as well. There has been little excuse-making when things have gone awry. Khadevis Robinson, who has been a force in the sport for years and had so hoped to compete in Beijing simply stated, "They ran well and I didn’t." After more questioning, he admitted he was not happy yet at the same time he exhibited introspection and noted I did not qualify in 2000 and it took him two years to discover he was supposed to learn. He then related that God wants him to learn something now. Anyone who listened to him had to be impressed. There was no sort of an ‘I was robbed attitude.’ Equally impressive was Nicole Teeter, who had been tripped in t he preliminaries and thought she was out of the 800M. She quipped with a smile on her face that now you know why I wasn’t a hurdler! Her focus was immediately on Plan B– the 1500, which was not her better event. Noteworthy also that she seemed almost embarrassed that a foul claim had been launched for her (we support that move – when you consider she ran a 2:10 and got back into the race after spending 4-5 seconds on the ground, she had to deserve a change to run) Both Robinson and Teeter are experienced athletes yet even the young Chanelle Price, who a month ago was still in high school, would not make excuses for her race although she was bumped at least 3 times in her heat. This is a trait exhibited by many not just those three. Yes, there is a spirit here in Eugene and it’s been a pleasure to witness.

Friday

With that in mind, let’s reflect back a bit on the first 4 days of the competition. For me day 1 was highlighted by the finals of the women’s 10K. At first this race appeared that it would lack zeal and good pace but then Magdalena Boulet, who already has earned a spot in the marathon, decided to pick up the pace. Molly Huddle quickly joined her, which then seemed to inspire others. Within 10 seconds the the whold complexion of the race had changed, as Shalene Flanigan, the US record-holder in the event, Kara Goucher (a medalist in the World Championships), and Amy Begley quickly decided to up the ante. They opened a gap immediately, which continued to grow.

The change was not just evidenced by the fact that the race was now just between those three athletes but rather poetically displayed by Goucher. When she races with the pack, her stride is a bit clipped and does not utilize all its possible energy but, when racing in the open, it opens to a fluid yet strong and even a poetic ease. Now we had a race and they proceeded to glide along. With two laps to go, Flanagan and Goucher moved away from Begley, who was showing the strain of the pace. Ahead of her raced her future teammates, who ran together until Flanagan surged away down the backstretch. Interestingly enough, although the winner, Flanagan seemed more spent after the race, which could prove crucial in China. As noted there is something different about those fans and although usually almost all eyes were on the battle for first, there were many still intently following Begley. Many fans had realized that just finishing 3rd would be little more than a footnote, for she lacked the crucial ‘A standard’ to qualify for China. Though her arm carriage was accentuated too high and her once fluid stride was failing her, she continued to fight to hold it together. She struggled to stay with the leaders to no avail and her face contorted by the strain, yet she fought to keep driving. She seemed to have faltered too much in the 2nd last lap but she gathered herself over the last 400 and battled on alone. First and second had completed their journeys but Amy was coming home too and it was going to be close and the crowd knew it. They were watching her, praying, and, if possible, willing her to success. She gained speed & fluidity as she carged toward the finish. There was a lull for a brief moment until the official time could appear on the scoreboard and there was a roar, when the crowd realized she had done it – the US would have 10K competitors! Amy and Kara were like schoolgirls jumping up and down for joy in such a pure display of emo tional happiness, which the fans vicariously shared. All races are not created equally and this race will be seared in the memory for many people for years to come.

A word also should be made about the effort of Katie McGreggor. The former star for Willoughby South High School in Ohio & the University of Michigan decided that it was best for her not to push the pace with the leaders and ran her own race. During the later stages of the race she picked up runners one by one but with a lap or so to go she realized that she would not be able to garner third place. It would mark the second time that she would place 4th in the Trials and have to stay home and, although disappointed, she was pleased with her record & proud of the medalists proclaiming that it was a great day for women in the 10K. In that she was correct.

.

Saturday

There were no surprises in the shot put as the top three athletes in that event all qualified for Beijing. Reese Hoffa won the event with a toss of 72' 6 1/4 " and Christian Cantwell placed 2nd with 71' 2 ½ ". Hayward Field favorite Adam Nelson had an off day but still placed 3rd with 68' 6 ½ ". Muna Lee timed her lean just right as she edged Torri Edwards, who placed 2nd. Laura Williams finished 3rd.

For many in the crowds the qualifiers for the men’s 800 Meters were the event of the day, because there were runners with local ties in the event. In the first heat Nick Symmonds, who had run for Willamette University just up the road in Salem, was hemmed in by a pack of runners as they entered the far turn. He had gambled that they leaders would drift out on the turn & he was correct. Once the opening occurred he dashed through it and once in the open launched a ferocious kick. Afterwards he noted that he had supreme confidence in his kick. Ominously for his competitors he stated that he felt as if he had just jogged a 1:46.6.

In the other heat sophomore Andrew Wheating of Oregon stayed at the back of the pack and then unleashed his formidable kick as they entered the final straight. He soared through the backstretch on the outside. The large crowd stood and cheered as he caught everyone but former US champion Khadevis Robinson. Robinson won with a time of 1:46.14, which was just 9 hundredths of a second ahead of Oregon’s favorite.

Sunday

Tyson Gay set off the largest fireworks of the day and taking advantage of a tailwind soared to victory in 9,68 seconds. The time is the fastest ever in the event but unfortunately can not be considered a world record due to the excessive wind. Still it has to make his Olympic competitors take note and it certainly punctuated another fine day of competition. Walter Dix & Darvis Patton finished 2nd & 3rd to claim the next to Olympic berths. Placing 4th & probably earning a spot on the US 4 X 400 Relay team was Travis Padgett who ran a fine 9.85.

In the pole vault competition Derek Miles surprised many by taking the title, while Jeff Hartwick proved that at age 40 he still has something else and placed second. US record-holder

Brad Walker earned a spot on the team placing third. Oregon’s Tommy Skipper no-heighted.

Bershawn Jackson won the 400 Hurdles with a time of 48.17 while Kerron Clement placed 2nd ahead of Angelo Taylor. Trevor Quinley scored in the Long Jump with a leap of 8.36 meters, while Brian Johnson (27' 2 3/4") & Miguel Pate (26' 11 3/4"). The favored Dwight Phillips missed making the team by 3/4 of an inch. Tiffany Ross Williams ran 54.03 to claim the title in the 400 Hurdles edging Queen Harris who ran 54.6 and Sheena Tosta ran 54.62 taking third.

Shani Marks soared 14.38 meters in the Long Jump to capture the championship in that event. Shakeema Welsch & Erica McKain placed 2nd & 3rd. Aretha Thurmond earned her 3rd Olympic berth in the discus with a winning heave of 213/ 11". Suzy Towell-Roes & Stephanie Trafton took the next two spots on the team.

Monday

Nick Symonds had stated that he was excited to race Oregon sophomore Andrew Wheating for the first time as they race in a similar fashion. He noted also that they would probably key off of each other and the race went just that way as the two runners ran side by side at the back of the pack for the first lap. Khadevis Robinson & Lopez Lamong were up front when they reached 400 in 49 and change. During the next 100 meters Symmonds moved through the pack on the inside, while Wheating edged up on the outside as he prefers to run. With 200 meters to go it appeared that Symmonds was in serious trouble as no opening appeared on the inside as it had in the semis but then in the middle of the turn a bit of daylight appeared and the former Willamette star scooted through the narrow opening like a half back between Jonathan Johnson & Duane Soloman and was suddenly clear. His acceleration was such that a ten meter lead had been attained seemingly instantaneously (Beam him up Scotty ). The victory was no longer in doubt but coming off the turn Wheating was still well behind Khadevis Robinson, who was fighting tying up, and Lopez Lamong. With the crowd roaring so loudly that Wheating would later admit ‘he could not hear himself breathing, the Oregon soph unleashed his own formidable kick to seize second place. The icing on the cake for Oregon fans came when Christian Smith dove across the finish line the last ticket to China and edge Robinson.

The women’s 800 Meters saw Hazel Clark capture another US Title with a time of 1:52.82. Alice Schmidt took 2nd & Kameisha Bennett finished 3rd. Nicole Teeter took 4th but her earlier A standard mark allows her to compete in China. In the javelin Kara Patterson of Vancouver, Wa. Won with a toss of 191' 9". Dana Pounds and University of Oregon champion Rachel Yurkovich took 2nd & 3rd but unfortunately did not make the A standard needed to qualify, so Kim Keiner, the US record-holder in the event, will compete in China.

The men’s 5K event saw World Champion Bernard Lagat defend his US title by pulling away at the end of the race. He won with a time of 13:27.47. As promised Matt Tegenkamp followed Lagat’s every move to come home 2nd in a time of 13:29 and Ian Dobson of nearby Klamath Falls, Oregon punched his ticket to Beijing with a time of 29.76 just a bit behind Tegenkamp Brent Vaugh made the race interesting by bolting to a sizable lead very early and raced along at a 65 second clip. Chris Solinsky gambled with two laps to go but could not hold on at the end and faded to fifth. Former Olympian Adam Goucher, realizing he would not get the A standard that he needed, wisely dropped out of the race with two laps to go. He noted afterwards that he "despised" doing it but his discretion seemed prudent for it would leave him with enough strength in the 10K His wife Kara won her qualifying heat in the 5K as she pulled away from Jennifer Rhines at the end with a time of 15:32. Lauren Fleshman placed just back in 3rd. Shalane Flanagan won the other heat with a time of 15:35.36. Placing 2nd & 3rd were Maureen McCandless & Ari Lambie.

Bryan Clay set an Olympic Trials record in the Decathlon with 8,726 points. Trey Hardee placed 2nd with 8534 points & Tom Pappas’ 8,511 was good for third.