Olympic Trials: Athletes Ride Emotional Roller Coaster On Day Seven

Few would have predicted it, but Day Seven sent an array of Olympic aspirants, as well as another capacity crowd of 20,834 rabid track fans at Hayward Field, on a wild, roller coaster ride of emotions as joyful surprises and crushing disappointments were sprinkled throughout another action-packed day of track and field at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

It started on the track. In the first heat of the quarterfinal round of the men’s 200 meters, the smoke from the starter’s gun had barely wafted away when Tyson Gay, reigning Olympic and World champion at 200 meters, went down in a heap. It first appeared to be a slip or trip, but the video replays made it clear that it was much more than that. With the crowd gasping in disbelief, Gay, who dominated the field in winning the 100 here just six days ago, was wheeled off the track. Fear was later replaced by relief when officially-released medical reports announced that Gay had suffered only a severe cramp. Hey, it could have been much worse. While Gay will not compete in the Olympic 200, early reports suggest that his participation in the 100 may not be threatened. Said Gay, “I’ll just get it worked on for a few days.” The 200 show goes on, of course, and Wallace Spearman, Shawn Crawford, and surprising Rodney Martin will lead the mixed group of veterans and upstarts into Sunday’s final. With both the second and the third rounds of the 200 taking place today in the men’s and women’s 200, it was a time for the sprinters to employ a little psychology: rev it up, post a time, and send your rivals a little message. Martin’s unexpected and event-leading 20.04 gave his 200 competitors a little something to think about…

In the women’s 200, Allyson Felix looks untouchable. In her semi-final, Felix looked totally in control, cruised in the last 50 meters, yet still posted a 22.22 which represents the world’s leading 2008 mark. It would appear that a strong contingent of U.S. sprinters led by Bianca Knight, Muna Lee, Shalonda Solomon, and Lauryn Williams will do battle for the final two furlong spots.

The opening rounds of the men’s 110 hurdles also provided emotional moments. The final heat of the first round featured Allen Johnson, the 37 year old hurdling warrior whose decorated career has made him one of the all-time outstanding track performers. Fans had been hoping for one more moment of magic here, but it was not to be. After cleaning skimming the first three hurdles, Johnson pulled up short apparently nursing an uncooperative hamstring. The knowledgeable crowd showered Johnson with a standing ovation as he waved and walked off the track. Many wondered if his exit today will prove to be the final chapter of his brilliant career. The remaining hurdlers battled onward and razor-sharp David Oliver, with a sparkling top qualifying time of 13.07, will lead today’s survivors into Sunday’s final two rounds.

In the qualifying rounds of the women’s 100 hurdles, a classic battle for the three Olympic spots is taking shape. Nearly half of the 16 semi-finalists who will resume this hurdle war in Sunday’s final two rounds have a legitimate shot to make the Beijing squad. Especially impressive have been Lolo Jones, reigning world indoor hurdle champion, who takes a leading time of 12.59 in to Sunday’s semi-final. Reigning Olympic champion Joanna Hayes [12.65] and other strong competitors such as Damu Cherry [12.86] Virginia Powell [12.87], and Michelle Perry [12.92 with a heavily-bandaged left hamstring] will guarantee that the race for the top three spots will be most competitive.

In the 20K walk, Kevin Eastler of Aurora, CO was victorious in a time of 1:27:07.

Epic battles were being waged in several field event finals held today. In the women’s shot put, Michelle Carter joined her father Michael as a shot put Olympian with a prodigious winning heave of 18.85 meters. Kristin Heaston, an incredible physical specimen with the perfect blend of size, speed, and power, captured the second position with a put of 18.34 meters. Jill Camarena [18.12 meters] rounds out the Beijing squad in this event.

Jessica Cosby broke the 70 meter barrier in the women’s hammer throw final. Her winning heave of 70.72 also established a new OT record. Amber Campbell [69.24] finished second for the next Olympic spot. But this event was also not without its own emotional twist. Because third-place finisher Sarah Veress [68.60] lacks the Olympic A standard, fourth-place finisher Loree Smith will be awarded the final Beijing spot.

Emotions ran high in the men’s high jump final. It is tough to beat perfection in the high jump – and Jesse Williams had that going for him today. With the Hayward Field crowd exhorting him onward with every leap, Williams was perfectly clean through 7’ 6 ½”. With that final clearance, he knew he had won the event and that his plane seat to China was reserved. Williams and second place finisher Andra Manson, both with A standard clearances to their credit, are on the Olympic squad. But here is where poignancy once again entered in: Sixth-place finisher Dustin Jonas, holder of a coveted A standard height, won a jump-off with Scott Sellers to grab the final China position from third place finisher Jamie Nieto who lacks the A.

Day Seven concluded with the day’s only track final: the men’s 3000 meter steeplechase. In an event which lacked a dominating favorite, the men’s steeplechase posed several questions: Is last year’s surprise national champion Josh McAdams ready to repeat? Would Anthony Famiglietti, like women’s steepler Jenny Barringer before him, regret running hard in the semi-final heat? Is a dark horse contender out there? The race began with Famiglietti unhesitatingly charging to the front. Out front and all alone, Famiglietti began rhythmically producing punishing laps which allowed him to lengthen his lead. A battle raged behind him though, as Brian Olinger, Daniel Huling, McAdams, and the surprising Colorado athlete Bill Nelson racing for the Olympic spots. The protagonists remained unchanged until the final 400 meters. Over the last lap, the race-long lead of Famiglietti began to fade as Nelson and McAdams battled for the runner-up position. While the race leader was never caught, the duo made it close with the Colorado steepler [Nelson in 8:21.47] snaring second and last year’s national champion [McAdams in 8:21.99] capturing the final Olympic spot.

Much anticipation awaits tomorrow’s final day of these Olympic Trials. A blend of sadness and euphoria will be a major part of tomorrow as those who love track and field view these incredible Olympic Trials as a springboard to greater times ahead for this venerable sport.

For full results: www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-TF/schedule.asp