Quick Hits Day 10
Hasay Out, But Finishes Strong | What a week for Jordan Hasay the prep phenom out of Mission College Prep in San Luis Obispo. Jordan was not in the original field for the Womens 1500m in any of the first three heats until another athlete pulled out. When Nicole Teter scratched, after placing 3rd in the Womens 800m, a spot opened up for Hasay. A little nervous but not fearful of the professional talent all around her, Hasay's light shined strong throughout the trials. When Hasay entered the mixed area after her first race, her comments made it seem like she had assumed she did not make second round of the Womens 1500m Semi's. Instead, her focus was on a plane flight to Chicago that would ulimately help her reach Poland for the Junior World Championships.
A few hours later she found out she had made it. Now in the Semi's, Hasay once again proved she belonged. Posting a High School record time of 4:14.50 Hasay moved to the finals behind the chants of "Come to Oregon". The "Home of the Hardest Team to Make" lived up to its billing on Sunday afternoon when Hasay failed to make the top 3 that will be sent to Beijing. Battling a powerful headwind, Jordan stayed back in the pack and made her move with 400 to go in the Finals. She finished 10th, right behind Sara Hall, but managed to pick-off a few runners down the home stretch. Her time of 4:17.36 marked the end of an incredible week for the youngster. It's now, finally, off to Worlds as she will barely make it in time to compete on Tuesday. If the 2008 Olympic Trials are any indication, Hayward and Eugene will be not only be rooting for her again in 2012, but may help pack her bags for London
Lows to Highs | Jenn Stuczynski was moments away from sinking to the lowest point of her professional career on Sunday afternoon in the Olympic Trials Women's Pole Vault Finals. Missing her first two attempts at 4.60m with swirling winds, Stuczynski was faced with one final jump that she had to clear, or would have no heighted and failed to make the Olympic Team. With her final attempt, Stuczynski easily cleared the bar by a foot and sighs of relief could be heard from the crowd. Stuczynski refocused and bettered her own American Record while punching her ticket to Beijing with a height of 4.92M. It was earlier in the week where the media outlets were rumoring a World Record attempt if the conditions were ripe. Although the wind was not cooperating, Jen gave the WR a try twice, and missed both attempts before passing on the third.
Lagat joins Flanagan, Goucher and Dix | Bernard Lagat joined Shalane Flanagan, Kara Goucher, and Walter Dix as the only athletes who may double in Beijing and look to grab two medals. Tyson Gay was the other American looking for two golds in the 100m and 200m dashes, but after straining a hamstring yesterday, will miss that chance come August. Lagat looked strong in the 1500m Finals Sunday evening, kicking his way to first with a time of 3:40.37. Lagat also took the Mens 5000m Finals with a time of 13:27.47 on Monday night, June 30th.
'A' Shake Down | The winds of change came swarming into Hayward Sunday afternoon proving to be difficult for athletes looking to make A-Standards in the 1500's. Athletes like Sara Hall and Gabe Jennings had to hit the standard and finish in the top 3 to make it to Beijing on Sunday. Jennings tried pushing the pace early and paid the price for it as he faded late and finished last in the finals. Jennings said he knew he had to push the pace if he had a shot to hit the A. In the quarters and semis of the Mens 1500's Jennings sat back until late and cut his way to qualifying. Sundays race didn't pan out that way and Jennings had to go all out to make it.
Trials Conclude | The 2008 USA Track and Field Team Trials Concluded Sunday evening with a frenzy as the final 3 members of team USA were named following the Mens 1500m Finals. Hayward set another attendance record as the total for the 8 days of trials action surpassed 100k in attendance. More numbers should be released this week as attendance from the Eugene08 festival will be tallied. The next steps for team USA will be fine tuning for a month before the Summer Olympic start in China on 08/08/08.
Celebrate Good Times | The Eugene08 party went late Sunday evening with music, dancing, and plenty of drinking. Gatherers celebrated the conclusion of the festivities with Vin Lananna making a cameo on stage wearing a 'Patriotic' hat while thanking the fans for their support. Things wrapped up at 10PM PST. Although the partying and Olympic qualifying may be over -- crews will be working late into the night wrapping up the thousands of yards cable that made the television broadcasts possible.
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