Oregon men sweep 800 at Trials
11:34 AM PDT on Tuesday, July 1, 2008
EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon's best middle and long distance runners put on a show at Hayward Field Monday at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene.
In the Men's 800 meter finals, it was a stunning 1-2-3 for Oregon runners.
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Nick Symmonds crosses the finish line in the men's 800 meter.
Cinderella 800
Willamette University All American Nick Symmonds, who cruised through the preliminary rounds, proved that school size doesn't matter by winning the 800 finals in 144.10.
Slideshow: Oregon sweep in 800
More: Symmonds in stride
"I've been working on that kick for a couple years now," said Symmonds. "I just ran a smart race, and I knew that I was going to wait until the last 100 meters to flip the switch. It felt so good to burn it on the last 100."
An even bigger Cinderella story was the second place finish by Andrew Wheating, just a sophomore at the University of Oregon. Wheating made the most of his home track advantage.
"They really pushed me through that last 100...all I heard was the crowd," sayd Wheating. "I believe Oregon was 1-2-3 because of this crowd."
Despite impressive performances in his heats, few gave the youngster a chance against a field that included top-ranked veteran Khadevis Robinson. Yet it was Robinson who will stay home this summer as he finished in fourth, placing behind Christian Smith, another Oregon Track Club runner who is now Beijing bound.
"I have to take my hat off to those guys," said Robinson, "they ran really well and deserve to be on the team."
Drama in Women's 800
Eugene resident Nicole Teter finished in the dreaded fourth position in the final of the women's 800, all but ending her Olympic dreams. But USA Track and Field officials confirmed late Monday that third-place finisher Kameisha Bennett lacked the required Olympic 'A' standard qualifying time. Teter has met the A standard, and so she officially made the USA women's 800 meter team for Beijing.
"I knew immediately that I would be on the team because I looked at the times," said Teter. "I was really tired, but I'm just really excited to be representing my country again. It has been a tough road to get here, but I am a two-time Olympian and cannot wait to get to China."
Frank Mungeam
After a four-woman tumble in the 800 semi's, Nicole Teter's Olympic dreams appeared to be dashed.
It was the second dramatic twist in two races for both Teter and Bennett. Both sat on the track Saturday, dazed and dejected, after they were tripped in a four-woman tangle halfway through their semifinal heat of the women's 800.
As a result of the tumble, neither finished in the top four, which meant they would not advance to the final. In a rare move, officials later added all four women involved in the fall into the women's final, meaning a crowded pack of 12 jostled around the Hayward track Monday fighting for just three Olympic spots. Hazel Clark won the race, followed by Alice Schmidt. Teter gets the third spot on the Olympic squad.
Photo Gallery: Trials in Pictures
Oregon's Iron Man - Again
Oregon's Tom Pappas became the first American man ever to make three Olympic teams in the decathlon. Meanwhile Bryan Clay's meet-winning score of 8,832 was an Olympic Trials record, beating Dan O'Brien's old record of 8726 in 1996. It was also the best score by an American in 16 years and the best score in the world in four years.
Women's Javelin
In the women's javelin competition, University of Oregon's Rachel Yurkovich of Newberg finished third but her best throw did not meet the required Olympic A standard.
Rematch set
Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan are set for a rematch of their dramatic 10,000 meter duel after each won their respective semifinal heat of the women's 5000 meters on Monday evening. Flanagan outkicked Goucher on the final lap Friday night at Hayward Field to win the 10,000. On Monday, Goucher ran three seconds faster in posting the top 5000 meter qualifying time. Lauren Fleshman of the Oregon Track Club placed third in her heat to also earn a spot in the final.
Going the Distance
Adam Goucher went to the front during the last mile of the men's 5000 meter final in an all-out effort to join his wife Kara as a member of the U.S. Olympic team. However, with two laps to go, when it was clear Goucher could not meet the required 'A' standard qualifying time, he peeled off the track in accordance with coach Alberto's Salazar's plan, in hopes of saving energy for a try at the men's Olympic squad in the 10,000 meters later this week.
Reigning World Champion Bernard Lagat won in 13:27.47 to make his first Olympics as an American citizen. Matt Tegenkamp placed second and Ian Dobson, a native of Klamath Falls, used a strong final kick to grab third to complete the Olympic squad.
Photos: Trials in Pictures
Story: Tyson Gay fastest ever - but it doesn't count
Slideshow: Goucher in 10K, Rupp cruises
More: Complete Trials News
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