California high schooler steals Oregon show

U.S. OLYMPIC TRACK & FIELD TRIALS
California high schooler steals Oregon show

John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer

Jordan Hasay beams after setting a high school record tim... Allyson Felix (2nd L) runs through the corner next to Nat... Adriane Stone reacts after beating her personal best duri... Tyson Gay (2nd L) runs through the corner next to Michael... More...
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A California prep legend with flowing blonde hair and an indomitable spirit captivated Hayward Field on the Fourth of July for the sixth day of the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.

Peanut-sized Jordan Hasay, a high school senior-to-be from San Luis Obispo, was able to delay her travel plans to Poland and the World Junior Championships in order to run in Friday night's semifinals of the women's 1,500 meters.

She did more than just run, she managed to qualify for the final with a fifth-place finish in a national high school record 4 minutes, 14.50 seconds as 20,936 track-savvy fans roared when she passed enough runners on the last lap to advance. The little girl who could was the 10th of 12 qualifiers for the final.

"It was incredible," the 16-year-old said. "Every time I picked off a runner I could hear the crowd screaming. After the race they were chanting 'Go to Oregon.' I was pretty tired at the end. The last 300 I gave it all I had to see what I could do."

After running her quarterfinal race on Thursday, Hasay said she would be flying to Poland today. Now she will leave on Monday after Stephanie Hightower, chair of the women's division of USA Track & Field arranged for a later flight, perhaps realizing a nice story was developing.

"It was a lifetime opportunity for me," Hasay said. "I never dreamed of making the final. I just wanted to stay relaxed. Yesterday, I got over-excited."

Hasay said making the final trumps the national high school record for the girls' 1,500, but the record of 4:16.42 by California prep rival Christine Babcock, set earlier this year, was on her mind just the same. Babcock, running in Hasay's semi, finished ninth in 4:20.00 and did not advance.

"It's always been in the back of my mind," Hasay said of the record. "I knew if I pushed it in I'd get it."

Hasay came to Eugene with her family not knowing if she would get in the field. She held the 31st fastest time and got into the race when two other runners withdrew.

"Two days ago, I thought I might be a spectator here," she said. "I was able to get in. We had decided to come over here. We had tickets. I was going to come and watch. I love watching all the races."

Hasay cuts a memorable figure on the track for her diminutive size, deep California tan and signature long blonde ponytail. "I've had long hair all my life," she said. "Now it's my trademark. I'm hesitant to cut it."

Hasay created her frenzy in the second semifinal, won by Lindsey Gallo in 4:12.54. San Francisco's Shannon Rowbury won the first semi in 4:11.75, the fastest of the two races.

"I figured the race would be about 4:11, 4:12," Rowbury said. "Everybody wants to move on. We want to run it as easy as possible but we don't want to get nipped at the line. Top six was the goal. I'm excited to be in the final on Sunday. I felt good that last 300. I was reminding myself not to go too hard."

The women's 1,500 final is Sunday at 4:05 p.m., giving Rowbury and her fellow runners sufficient time to rest and recover.

"I have two days to the next race, so it's a lot more time to recover," Rowbury said. "I'm excited for Sunday. I know my strength and I'll make plans around it. I know my training's been good. I know all I need to do to get ready to go."

There were four finals on Friday, but none had the drama and feel-good of a California prep charming the Oregon fans.

Kara Goucher won the women's 5,000 meters in 15:01.02, ahead of Jen Rhines (15:02.02) and Shalane Flanagan (15:02.81) for the other Olympic team spots. Former Stanford runner Lauren Fleshman faded to fifth in 15:23.18. She could still make the U.S. team if either Goucher or Flanagan, both of whom are on the team in the 10,000, drop out of the shorter race.

However, that's unlikely since the women's 10,000 is on the first day of track and field competition in Beijing and it wouldn't make sense for either Goucher or Flanagan to drop out.

Chaunte Howard, the most consistent American woman in the high jump, won the top spot on the Olympic team by clearing 6-feet, 5 1/2 inches. Amy Acuff made her fourth Olympic team by finishing second at 6-4, having done her training at an unused military warehouse at the Port of Stockton. Third place went to Sharon Day at 6-3 1/4.

San Jose's Kevin McMahon finished second in the hammer throw at 244 feet, 5 inches but will not be going to Beijing. He doesn't have the Olympic 'A' qualifying standard of 257-6. Neither does Thomas Freeman, who finished third at 241-5.

The only American hammer thrower who will be competing in Beijing is the trials winner, A.G. Kruger, who reached 248-9 but has the 'A' mark at 258-2.

The evening ended with Abdi Abdirahman winning the 10,000 meters in 27:41.89 after holding off Oregon's Galen Rupp, who came across second in 27:43.11. Jorge Torres was third in 27:46.33.

To celebrate making his third Olympic team as well as to cool off, Abdirahman jumped in the steeplechase water jump.

Friday's winners

Women's 5,000: Kara Goucher, 15:01.02

Women's high jump: Chaunte Howard, 6-51/2

Men's hammer throw: A.G. Kruger, 248-9

Men's 10,000: Abdi Abdirahman, 27:41.89