Lagat drops out of 10000 at US Olympic Trials...
EUGENE—It was not Bernard Lagat’s (left/photo by Paul Merca) day Friday as the US Olympic Track & Field Trials opened at Historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
Lagat, who had worked his way up to the top three after the three-mile mark of the men’s 10000 meter finals, dropped out with about 3000 meters to go.
The Washington State University alum, who was vying to make his third US Olympic team, said that he dropped out with approximately 3000 meters to go after overcommitting by going with eventual winner Galen Rupp (27:55.04) and Shadrack Kipchirchir (28:01.52). He also said that the heat affected him during the race, and he thought it was wise for him to drop out and save it for the 5000 later in the meet.
Bellingham native Jake Riley, who led for a portion of the race, finished 12th in 29:06.98.
In the men’s 800, Drew Windle of the Brooks Beasts won his heat in 1:48.66. Others advancing included Cas Loxsom (1:47.76) and Shaquille Walker of the Beasts, who finished second and third in their heat, running identical times of 1:47.76 in heat 3.
Not advancing were WSU alum Jesse Jorgensen in heat 2, who ran 1:49.91, and Gig Harbor’s Mark Wieczorek, who didn’t finish.
In the women’s 800, Seattle’s Phoebe Wright finished third in heat 2 to advance as a time qualifier in 2:01.35. In that same heat, Baylee Mires of the Brooks Beasts ran a personal best 2:02.57, and was the fastest runner not to advance to the semis.
Seattle Pacific alum McKayla Fricker advanced to the semis by finishing second in heat 5 in 2:01.53.
In the men’s 400, Rainier Beach HS alum Michael Berry (45.79) and Tacoma native Marcus Chambers easily advanced to the semifinals.
Montesano native Tera Novy advanced to the finals of the women’s discus, spinning the platter 194-6 (54.29m), the fifth furthest throw of the day.
Day 2 gets underway at 9:45 am, as Washington alum Jeremy Taiwo gets going in day 1 of the decathlon competition.
Washington alum Brad Walker, and Club Northwest’s Levi Keller compete in the qualifying round of the mens pole vault.
Tera Novy throws in the finals of the women’s discus, while six athletes with Washington ties go in the semis of the men’s and women’s 800.
Saturday's complete schedule of when Washington athletes compete is available below.
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