Spectacular Finish To Olympic Trials

A capacity Hayward Field crowd of 21,176 was treated to a record-breaking day on the track and in the field as American athletes performed at the highest levels during the final day of the U.S. Olympic Trials. On a day when swirling winds confounded some athletes and placed little “w”’s next to astonishing marks, track buffs were left to wonder what the breadth and depth of performances might have been on a day untroubled by pesky zephyrs.

The biggest story on this record-setting day was the women’s pole vault. Heavily-favored Jenn Stuczynski chilled for 90 minutes while the other competitors battled each other and the tricky winds that reeked havoc throughout the event. Only two vaulters, April Steiner and Erica Bartolina-Bennett, were still jumping when Stuczynski peeled off her sweats. After two misses at her opening height of 15’ 1 ½”, Stuczynski had the entire crowd thinking about Dan O’Brien’s “no height” in the pole vault during the ’92 Oly Trials decathlon. With a packed Hayward Field crowd holding its collective breath, Stuczynski charged down the runway on her third (and what everyone hoped would not be her final) attempt. When she cleared the bar by a foot, you could almost hear the U.S. Olympic coaches breathe a sigh of relief. Her Olympic berth assured, Stuczynski then went to work. With the bar raised to 15’ 7 ¼”, she cleared it on her first attempt to better Stacy Dragila’s OT record while the former record-holder looked on. Next was an assault on her own American record. With the bar set at 16’ 1 ¾”, she missed two close attempts. With the invigorated crowd exhorting her onward, Stuczynski raised her American record when she cleared the bar cleanly on her third and final attempt. Why stop now? With the rest of the meet over, but no fans leaving their seats, the bar was raised to a world record height – 16’ 5 ½”. After two valiant but unsuccessful attempts that were not that close, Stuczynski graciously waved to the crowd, retired for the day, and left the crowd to dream about her showdown next month in Beijing against Yelena Isinbayeva., the world record-holder.

In the women’s 200 final, Allyson Felix showed why she is ranked number one in the world. Never seriously challenged throughout the 200 rounds, Felix controlled the final to win in 21.82. OT 100 champion Muna Lee finished second in 21.99. But the drama, as it so often is in the Olympic Trials, was saved for the battle for the final Olympic spot. In a move that appeared more accidental than intentional, a hard-charging Marshevet Hooker lunged and fell over the line. An examination of the finish line photo confirmed that she had nipped Lauryn Williams for the last Beijing spot in the furlong by .01 seconds.

With the Saturday departure of Tyson Gay in the quarterfinal round of the 200 due to extreme cramping, the field for Sunday’s final looked wide open. In one of the closest finishes of these Trials, Walter Dix finished literally inches ahead of reigning Olympic 200 meter champion Shawn Crawford. Both timed in a blistering 19.86, these two will share the new Hayward Field record in this event. The actual timed difference between Dix and Crawford was .005 seconds. Wallace Spearmon, characteristically behind after the first 100, roared down the final straightaway to finish in 19.90 to capture the final Olympic position.

In the women’s 100 meter hurdles final, those unwanted gusts of wind will require an asterisk on an outstanding performance. Lolo Jones, absolutely dominating throughout the rounds, exploded in the final for an aggressive and flawlessly executed flight of hurdles as she blew the field away. Her finishing time of 12.29 represents the fastest time ever run by an American under any conditions. A trailing wind above the allowable limit will require a little “w” be placed next to a time which is .04 faster than Gail Dever’s American record. The Jones – Suzanne Kallur battle in Beijing should be incredible. Damu Cherry finished second in 12.58. Dawn Harper’s time of 12.62 nailed the final Beijing spot over Nichole Denby by .007 seconds.

In the men’s 110 hurdles final, David Oliver, a graduate of Denver East High School, who had dominated the early rounds, was at the top of his game with a winning time in the finals of 12.95. Again, a trailing breeze above the allowable limit prevents his winning time from being a new Hayward Field record. Big time performer Terrence Trammell finished second in 13.00. Anwar Moore had Beijing in his grasp as he cleared the final hurdle. His fall about eight meters from the finish line allowed fast-finishing David Payne to grab the final spot in 13.25.

Shannon Rowbury controlled the entirety of the women’s 1500 meter final. With a leading time going in to these Trials which justified her confidence, she took control and was never headed. Her winning time of 4:05.48 is the top winning national title time in recent history. Erin Donohue [second in 4:08.20] and Christin Wurth-Thomas [third in 4:08.48], both possessors of the Olympic A standard, grab the final two Olympic spots.

A titanic battle was waged in the men’s triple jump final. All competitors had challenges in adjusting to the blustery conditions. Adapting better than most, Aarik Wilson took the crown with a winning jump of 57’ 2 ¼ “. His winning leap, not improperly aided by wind, broke the old Hayward Field record set by Charles Simpkins in 1986. Clutch performer Kenta Bell finished second in 56’ 6 ½ “ and Rafeeq Curry grabbed the final Olympic spot with a leap of 56’ 5 ¾ “. Veteran triple jumper and crowd favorite Walter Davis missed the Olympic team by one centimeter.

In the men’s discus, Ian Waltz properly assessed the windy cross currents and hurled the discus 216’ 1” for the win. Michael Robertson [209’ 1”] and Casey Malone of Fort Collins [205’ 7”] captured the other two Olympic positions.

In the men’s javelin throw, Olympic standards came in to play. Bobby Smith who won this competition with a throw of 249’ 6”, lacks the A standard and will not be going to Beijing. Second place finisher Mike Hazle will join fifth place finisher Leigh Smith, both possessors of the Olympic A standard, as this country’s representatives in this event in the Olympics.

As the day began, cool conditions prevailed during the women’s 20 kilometer walk final which was won by Joanne Dow in 1:35.11. An Olympic B standard holder, Dow will be this country’s sole representative in this event in the Beijing Olympics.

The final event on the final day of the U.S. Olympic Trials was the much-ballyhooed men’s 1500 meter final. A favorite topic of conversation during the last ten days, the men’s 1500 final sparked much speculation as to whether or not the other American middle distance challengers could derive a method to defeat the reigning national and world champion Bernard Lagat. The answer is no. As the last event of these Trials began, Lagat, as is his tendency, surged into the lead, only to reduce the pace to a shuffle. 2000 OT champion Gabe Jennings had other ideas. Driving into the lead just 200 meters into the race, Jennings led the for the next 1000 meters. The final 300 meters were bumpy as much jostling took place. As the race sorted itself out coming into the final straightaway, Lagat [[3:40.37] led Leonel Manzano [3:40.90] and Lopez Lomong of Colorado Springs [3:41.00] across the line. Lagat, Leo, and Lopez will represent the U.S. in the men’s 1500 in Beijing. Alan Webb, close but never dominant, finished fifth. Jennings, leading with 300 to go, paid for his pace-setting duties and was passed by 11 runners to finish last.

Track and field visionary and OT organizer Vin Lananna had hoped, these Olympic Trials would be more than just a great track meet. He got his wish. The state-of-the-art physical plant, the maniacally-precise organization, the flawless presentation, the festival-like celebration atmosphere, the community support, the broad-based appeal – all of this came together in a planned, yet magical way to breathe life back into a sport that has been searching for a rebirth. Of course this momentum will carry U.S. athletes and fan interest through the Olympic Games next month. But what happens then? The real challenge will be for leadership in this sport to seize this moment, this rekindled enthusiasm, and build on it lovingly, caringly, and with inspiration and courage to restore track and field to new levels of greatness by all measures.

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