Distance Runners Work To Improve Their Chances Of Making The Starting Line At Olympic Trials, Prep Runners Go 1-2 In 800 Meters

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

From 800 to 10,000 meters, Olympic Trials hopefuls showed what they've got Friday on the first of two nights at the Trials of Miles Texas Qualifier near Austin. 

Friday's action provided, more than anything, opportunity. 

The fastest sections are still to come Saturday. 

Right out of the gate, Roisin Willis (Stevens Point WI) and Sophia Gorriaran (Moses Brown RI) dominated the women's 800 race and laid down times that will kickoff the outdoor rankings at US#1 and US#2. After several meets indoors, Willis, a junior pulled out the victory in 2:03.85. Gorriaran, a sophomore, was second in 2:04.20. (The time they were hoping for was 2:02.50, although Gorriaran already has the standard after clocking 2:02.44 at an American Track League event Feb. 7 in Fayetteville, Ark.). 

RESULTS

Josh Hoey of adidas won the men's 800 in 1:47.66. 

Former Furman athlete Ryan Adams won the men's 1,500 meters in 3:38.17. An unfortunate incident on the first lap cost high school phenom Hobbs Kessler from making a bid at a Trials qualifying time (3:37.50), when he was tripped up from behind and fell. Kessler got up and chased the field but lost valuable time and momentum and finished 18th and last in 3:52.80. 

Laura Galvan of HOKA held off Amanda Eccleston of Brooks to win the women's 1,500 meters, 4:12.80 to 4:12.89. Danielle Aragon of Empire Elite was third in 4:14.90.

Craig Engels of Nike, running his first 5,000 meters since college, had enough speed at the end to outlast a gritty effort by Donn Cabral, 13:36.91 to 13:37.28. Engels' best event is the 1,500 meters, so his foray into the 5,000 was either for tactical racing experience, a workout, or an attempt to secure an second opportunity in Eugene in June. 

Andrea Limon, who runs for Mexico, won the women's 5,000 meters in 15:28.47. Carmela Cardama, who runs track at Oregon and is a candidate for the Spanish Olympic team, was second in 15:31.40.

Sid Vaughn of HOKA Naz Elite finished strong to take the 10,000 meters after a long dual with Nico Montanez (Mammoth Track Club). Vaughn ran 28:39.37 and beat Montanez by less than two seconds. 

In the final race of the night, Valeriya Zinenko of Ukraine won the women's 10,000 meters in 32:43.15. Former Oregon runner Molly Grabill (Nomad) was three seconds back in 32:46.95.