U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Runner's World picks for the distance events at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
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U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
800 Meters – Women
Alysia Montano, 26, (pictured) is a droll wit who races with a flower in her hair. But the Cal-Berkeley grad matches her quirks with serious skill: She's a three-time USA Outdoor champion and took bronze at the 2010 World Indoor Championships. Montano should win in the final of what may be track's most tactically complex event. New phenom Erica Moore, who took 800-meter bronze in Istanbul, will challenge.
Our Picks:
1. Alysia Montano
2. Erica Moore
3. Maggie Vessey
Text by Peter Gambaccini
800 Meters – Women
Alysia Montano, 26, (pictured) is a droll wit who races with a flower in her hair. But the Cal-Berkeley grad matches her quirks with serious skill: She's a three-time USA Outdoor champion and took bronze at the 2010 World Indoor Championships. Montano should win in the final of what may be track's most tactically complex event. New phenom Erica Moore, who took 800-meter bronze in Istanbul, will challenge.
Our Picks:
1. Alysia Montano
2. Erica Moore
3. Maggie Vessey
2Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
800 Meters – Men
Nick Symmonds, 28, (pictured) won at the 2008 Trials and should do the same here. "I'd love to win both Trials and sandwich every single (USA Outdoor) championship in between (he won in '09, '10, and '11)," he says. Former Virginia star Robby Andrews, 21, turned pro early specifically to make this Olympic team; we think he will. We expect the 6'5" Andrew Wheating to leg out his second Olympic berth.
Our Picks:
1. Nick Symmonds
2. Robby Andrews
3. Andrew Wheating
Text by Peter Gambaccini
800 Meters – Men
Nick Symmonds, 28, (pictured) won at the 2008 Trials and should do the same here. "I'd love to win both Trials and sandwich every single (USA Outdoor) championship in between (he won in '09, '10, and '11)," he says. Former Virginia star Robby Andrews, 21, turned pro early specifically to make this Olympic team; we think he will. We expect the 6'5" Andrew Wheating to leg out his second Olympic berth.
Our Picks:
1. Nick Symmonds
2. Robby Andrews
3. Andrew Wheating
3Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
1500 Meters – Women
In the last decade, the 1500 has become one of the U.S.'s most talent-rich events, led by Daegu gold medalist Jenny Simpson, 25, (pictured) and Morgan Uceny, 27, ranked number one in the world in 2011. In March, Uceny made her goals clear to the Los Angeles Times: "I'm a selfish person. I want to be on the podium, and I don't really care about other Americans getting [there]. I just know that's where I want to be."
Our Picks:
1. Jenny Simpson
2. Morgan Uceny
3. Shannon Rowbury
Text by Peter Gambaccini
1500 Meters – Women
In the last decade, the 1500 has become one of the U.S.'s most talent-rich events, led by Daegu gold medalist Jenny Simpson, 25, (pictured) and Morgan Uceny, 27, ranked number one in the world in 2011. In March, Uceny made her goals clear to the Los Angeles Times: "I'm a selfish person. I want to be on the podium, and I don't really care about other Americans getting [there]. I just know that's where I want to be."
Our Picks:
1. Jenny Simpson
2. Morgan Uceny
3. Shannon Rowbury
4Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
1500 Meters – Men
Like father, like son? Matthew Centrowitz, the elder, qualified for the 1976 Olympics in the 1500 in Eugene, and Matthew Jr. (pictured) aims to do the same this year. At 22, he's already a master of handling multiple rounds of the 1500. Leo Manzano, 27, who took second at the '08 Trials, is a bit erratic but has a blazing kick. David Torrence, 26, has won three USA road mile titles; he'll do well on Hayward's track.
Our Picks:
1. Matthew Centrowitz
2. Leo Manzano
3. David Torrence
Text by Peter Gambaccini
1500 Meters – Men
Like father, like son? Matthew Centrowitz, the elder, qualified for the 1976 Olympics in the 1500 in Eugene, and Matthew Jr. (pictured) aims to do the same this year. At 22, he's already a master of handling multiple rounds of the 1500. Leo Manzano, 27, who took second at the '08 Trials, is a bit erratic but has a blazing kick. David Torrence, 26, has won three USA road mile titles; he'll do well on Hayward's track.
Our Picks:
1. Matthew Centrowitz
2. Leo Manzano
3. David Torrence
5Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
3000-Meter Steeplechase – Women
NCAA and USA Outdoor champion Emma Coburn, 21, (pictured) exhibits poise beyond her years and comes from the same Colorado track hotbed as Jenny Simpson, who ran the steeple in Beijing. Bridget Franek sandwiched a 2010 NCAA Outdoor title between '09 and '11 U.S. medal finishes. Sara Hall, wife of star U.S. marathoner Ryan Hall, may have found her Olympic-qualifying event in the steeple.
Our Picks:
1. Emma Coburn
2. Bridget Franek
3. Sara Hall
Text by Peter Gambaccini
3000-Meter Steeplechase – Women
NCAA and USA Outdoor champion Emma Coburn, 21, (pictured) exhibits poise beyond her years and comes from the same Colorado track hotbed as Jenny Simpson, who ran the steeple in Beijing. Bridget Franek sandwiched a 2010 NCAA Outdoor title between '09 and '11 U.S. medal finishes. Sara Hall, wife of star U.S. marathoner Ryan Hall, may have found her Olympic-qualifying event in the steeple.
Our Picks:
1. Emma Coburn
2. Bridget Franek
3. Sara Hall
6Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
3000-Meter Steeplechase – Men
Alas, this is probably America's weakest track event, as not a single American qualified for the final in Daegu. But a newbie could shake things up at the Trials. Evan Jager, 23, (pictured) who made the 2009 World Outdoor Championships team in the 5000, won the first steeplechase of his life at April's Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California, clearing the barriers smoothly and setting a meet record in the process.
Our Picks:
1. Evan Jager
2. Dan Huling
3. Donn Cabral
Text by Peter Gambaccini
3000-Meter Steeplechase – Men
Alas, this is probably America's weakest track event, as not a single American qualified for the final in Daegu. But a newbie could shake things up at the Trials. Evan Jager, 23, (pictured) who made the 2009 World Outdoor Championships team in the 5000, won the first steeplechase of his life at April's Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California, clearing the barriers smoothly and setting a meet record in the process.
Our Picks:
1. Evan Jager
2. Dan Huling
3. Donn Cabral
7Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
5000 Meters – Women
Injuries to American record holder and 2011 USA Outdoor champion Molly Huddle (pictured), 27, (plantar fasciitis) and Daegu finalist Lauren Fleshman, 30, (IT band, stress reaction) complicate this event. We can't be certain Fleshman will be ready for the Trials. If Julia Lucas and Julie Culley can hold together the form they both showed at Stanford's Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in April, we like their chances.
Our Picks:
1. Molly Huddle
2. Julie Culley
3. Julia Lucas
Text by Peter Gambaccini
5000 Meters – Women
Injuries to American record holder and 2011 USA Outdoor champion Molly Huddle (pictured), 27, (plantar fasciitis) and Daegu finalist Lauren Fleshman, 30, (IT band, stress reaction) complicate this event. We can't be certain Fleshman will be ready for the Trials. If Julia Lucas and Julie Culley can hold together the form they both showed at Stanford's Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in April, we like their chances.
Our Picks:
1. Molly Huddle
2. Julie Culley
3. Julia Lucas
8Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
5000 Meters – Men
Bernard Lagat, 37, (pictured) was a bronze medalist in the 2000 Olympics and won silver in 2004 (both in the 1500) while representing his native Kenya (he has run for the U.S. as a naturalized citizen since 2005). A master tactician, he's a four-time U.S. outdoor champion, took silver in Daegu, and had a brilliant 2012 indoor campaign. Still, he'll have to be at his best to hold off Rupp, who'll be doubling back after the 10,000. Lopez Lomong, 27, stunned with an audacious 13:11 in April.
Our Picks:
1. Bernard Lagat
2. Galen Rupp
3. Lopez Lomong
Text by Peter Gambaccini
5000 Meters – Men
Bernard Lagat, 37, (pictured) was a bronze medalist in the 2000 Olympics and won silver in 2004 (both in the 1500) while representing his native Kenya (he has run for the U.S. as a naturalized citizen since 2005). A master tactician, he's a four-time U.S. outdoor champion, took silver in Daegu, and had a brilliant 2012 indoor campaign. Still, he'll have to be at his best to hold off Rupp, who'll be doubling back after the 10,000. Lopez Lomong, 27, stunned with an audacious 13:11 in April.
Our Picks:
1. Bernard Lagat
2. Galen Rupp
3. Lopez Lomong
9Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
10,000 Meters – Women
Collegiate Records Go Down at BU Shalane Flanagan, 30, (pictured) will run in Eugene but only plans to compete in the 26.2 in London. Her training mate, Lisa Uhl, 24, could outkick her at Hayward. In 2010, Uhl won the NCAA Outdoor 10,000 and 5000, and took second in the 10,000 at nationals. With Flanagan's slot open, road warrior Janet Bawcom could squeeze in behind Amy Hastings to make her first Olympic team.
Our Picks:
1. Shalane Flanagan
2. Lisa Uhl
3. Amy Hastings
Text by Peter Gambaccini
10,000 Meters – Women
Collegiate Records Go Down at BU Shalane Flanagan, 30, (pictured) will run in Eugene but only plans to compete in the 26.2 in London. Her training mate, Lisa Uhl, 24, could outkick her at Hayward. In 2010, Uhl won the NCAA Outdoor 10,000 and 5000, and took second in the 10,000 at nationals. With Flanagan's slot open, road warrior Janet Bawcom could squeeze in behind Amy Hastings to make her first Olympic team.
Our Picks:
1. Shalane Flanagan
2. Lisa Uhl
3. Amy Hastings
10Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
10,000 Meters – Men
The top U.S. 10,000-meter runner since 2009, Galen Rupp, 26, (pictured) broke the American outdoor record in 2011. Rupp benefits from the coaching expertise of Alberto Salazar and the world-class example of training partner and U.K. elite Mo Farah. Behind Rupp, it's a scramble, but Dathan Ritzenhein, who just missed qualifying for the Olympic Marathon, seems determined and ready to atone here.
Our Picks:
1. Galen Rupp
2. Dathan Ritzenhein
3. Chris Derrick
Text by Peter Gambaccini
10,000 Meters – Men
The top U.S. 10,000-meter runner since 2009, Galen Rupp, 26, (pictured) broke the American outdoor record in 2011. Rupp benefits from the coaching expertise of Alberto Salazar and the world-class example of training partner and U.K. elite Mo Farah. Behind Rupp, it's a scramble, but Dathan Ritzenhein, who just missed qualifying for the Olympic Marathon, seems determined and ready to atone here.
Our Picks:
1. Galen Rupp
2. Dathan Ritzenhein
3. Chris Derrick
11Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
Women's Heptathlon
The winner of the Olympic heptathlon is dubbed the "World's Greatest Athlete" of her gender–but for her silver in Beijing, Hyleas Fountain, 31, (pictured) barely attracted a ripple of notice. A neck injury slowed her in 2011, but when healthy she's easily America's best. Sharon Day, 27, claimed the 2011 USA Outdoor title in her absence, but youngster Ryann Krais could edge her out.
Our Picks:
1. Hyleas Fountain
2. Ryann Krais
3. Sharon Day
Text by Peter Gambaccini
Women's Heptathlon
The winner of the Olympic heptathlon is dubbed the "World's Greatest Athlete" of her gender–but for her silver in Beijing, Hyleas Fountain, 31, (pictured) barely attracted a ripple of notice. A neck injury slowed her in 2011, but when healthy she's easily America's best. Sharon Day, 27, claimed the 2011 USA Outdoor title in her absence, but youngster Ryann Krais could edge her out.
Our Picks:
1. Hyleas Fountain
2. Ryann Krais
3. Sharon Day
12Media Platforms Design Team
U.S. Olympic Trials: Distance
Photo by PhotoRun
Text by Peter Gambaccini
Men's Decathlon
The Trials title is up for grabs between three Americans who should all contend for gold in London. Reigning Olympic champion and 2004 silver medalist Bryan Clay, 32, is one of the best ever, but the wear and tear of persistent injuries may finally catch up to him. Expect two-time world outdoor champ Trey Hardee, 28, and the precocious Ashton Eaton, 24, (pictured) to battle for the top spot.
Our Picks:
1. Ashton Eaton
2. Trey Hardee
3. Bryan Clay
Text by Peter Gambaccini
Men's Decathlon
The Trials title is up for grabs between three Americans who should all contend for gold in London. Reigning Olympic champion and 2004 silver medalist Bryan Clay, 32, is one of the best ever, but the wear and tear of persistent injuries may finally catch up to him. Expect two-time world outdoor champ Trey Hardee, 28, and the precocious Ashton Eaton, 24, (pictured) to battle for the top spot.
Our Picks:
1. Ashton Eaton
2. Trey Hardee
3. Bryan Clay
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