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2008 U.S. Olympic Trials
Daily recap - Day 6 of 8; Friday, July 4th
Eugene OR
Photo by Kirby Lee, Image of Sport
Mission College Prep junior Jordan Hasay is all mega-smiles after setting the national high school
record on Friday night at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Jordan screamed across the last 150 meters to move
into fifth place and finish in 4:14.50, also qualifying for the Sunday's final!
Taking Eugene By Storm
Jordan Hasay wins over Hayward Field with finishing kick that secures national record and a spot in the final
By Rich Gonzalez, DyeStatCal editor
(July 4, 2008) -- TrackTown, USA? Not anymore.
Make no mistake, this is Hasay Nation now.
With one final 20-second burst, the golden mane flowed forcefully in tow, a capacity Independence Day crowd
roared wildly, and another record barrier was blown out of the water.
The golden hair, the Crest smile, the six-pack midsection, the toned triceps, the tri-colored racing spikes, and on
and on and on. The perfect athlete ran the perfect race at the perfect time.
The end results? A 1,500-meter high school national record, a continued perfect ledger against her chief rival, a
berth into the Olympic Trials final, and a new legion of fans, this time based in the Pacific Northwest. So enthralling
was her performance that within two minutes of completing her record run, the hometown-biased University of Oregon
crowd began repeating a simple yet all-telling three-word mantra summarizing their emotions....
"Come To Ore-gon! Come To Ore-gon! Come To Ore-gon!"
The San Luis Obispo-based 16-year-old prep distance phenom added the most riveting chapter to a budding
storybook career with an Olympic Trials 1500m performance that netted her the trifecta: personal best time, national
high school record; a berth in Sunday's final with bids to Beijing on the line.
To seal the deal, Hasay ripped off a 48.9 split over the final three hundred meters to pass three elite rivals and
clinch a finals spot while achieving a prep record time of 4:14.50, nearly two seconds faster than fellow California
high schooler Christine Babcock's newly minted record of two weeks ago.
"I really wanted to (run the semis) so I am traveling out on Monday," beamed Hasay afterward. "I never dreamed
of making the final. ... It was incredible. Every time I passed a runner I could hear the crowd just scream. It was so
exciting."
Ah yes, that deal about sticking around ton a few extra days before leaving for Poland....
Permission Into Semis Was Tougher Than Qualification
With a roster spot for next week's World Junior Championships in Poland already sewn up, the plan for "Team Hasay"
was to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene with the hopes of picking up some huge elite experience, maybe
claim the national record, and perhaps defy the odds by qualifying through to the semis.
One small problem. While the first round of the 1500m run at the Olympic Trials was Thursday, Team USA's departure
for the Juniors meet required that travel as an entire group started Friday. Initial reports were that Hasay would be allowed
to only run the first round at the Trials, then report to the airport for the flight to Juniors. Otherwise, her spot on Team USA
would be lost. USATF's policy may have been dictated eons ago when Maicel Malone found herself in a similar situation
and the governing body allowed her to stay for the Trials that year, then join the Junior team later. Reports were that
Malone's travel situation evolved into a logistical nightmare, leaving insiders to think that officials vowed: "never again."
The Hasay family even offered to pay Jordan's way to Poland if allowed an extra day or two in Eugene to compete
further should she advance, but to no avail.
Then late Thursday, a breakthrough. Joe Hasay, Jordan's dad, reported that USATF officials at the Trials reversed the
edict, granting an exemption on her travel plans.
"Stephanie Hightower (USATF Chair for women's events)... she was very nice," said Joe Hasay, who manages to serve
as the Team Hasay travel agent, occasional psychologist, and resident comedian in addition to his fatherly duties. "This is
what Jordan trains for her entire year. This is her time."
Race Time Is Finally Here
With the spot to the semifinals now secure (Jordan ran 4:18.39 in the first round to advance), she appeared more
determined to seize on her good fortunes Friday. Competing in the second of two heats, Jordan came out poised and in
much the same pacing manner as when she competed in the Peyton Jordan Invitational at Stanford University two months
prior.
The second time trying the even pace/even effort approach -- and now much more race fit -- proved to be a perfect recipe.
Content to be at the back of the pack, she volleyed in between last and next-to-last place for the opening 400 meters, all the
while keeping race contact with the group.
"I was just trying to stay relaxed," she said. "I know yesterday I got a little over excited. I just wanted to stay relaxed for the
first two laps and then with 300 (meters left), give it all I had and see what I could do."
Along her second revolution, she than began picking off competitors, eventually reaching the 800m point in ninth place at
2:19.3 and right on the shoulder of additional prep phenom Christine Babcock, who opened with an aggressive 69.0 in the
first lap to be in second place.
By 820 meters, Hasay had caught and passed Babcock and set her mind on new targets to catch. By the bell lap, she was
in eighth place in 3:09.3, with only the top six finishers allowed to advance to the final.
"Jordan, Champions Know How To Finish"
It was throughout the summer of 2007 that Hasay's coach, Armando Siqueiros, peppered his protege with as much elite
level race video footage as he could find, each clip exemplifying the leg speed needed along the final lap or the final stretch
to become a complete runner, to become a champion in the very toughest races where sheer talent alone comes up short.
"At first she didn't really bite," said Siqueiros at the time, reminding of her penchant to start races at a fast pace and then try
to hold on. "She was content on not changing. But she lost at FootLocker and without really learning how to close, she'll lose
again at the highest levels. It was a mantra I kept telling her: 'Finish. Finish. Finish. Jordan, champions know how to finish.' "
Thus far in 2008, she was obviously learning. She kicked down Babcock to win their 3200 showdown at Arcadia. She reeled
in elites to run 4:17 and change coming from behind -- and still felt good at the finish -- in the 1500m at Peyton Jordan. She kicked
down Laurynne Chetelat to win the California state meet at 3200
Now, with 300 meters to go her at the Trials and more fitness than ever under her belt, the biggest test was about to play out.
As the leaders broke into their finishing sprints, Hasay gave spirited chase, eliciting strong cheers along the backstretch.
At the close of that straight, she caught another and moved into seventh place -- one away from qualifying -- with 200 meters
remaining.
By the middle of the final curve, her hair began flying through the turn as she reeled in another, and now found herself in sixth
-- right where she needed to be -- the fervent roar of the crowd ever escalating.
The job wasn't complete. She still had to 'finish'.
Then came one final gear, with about 80 meters remaining, and one final victim (Jenelle Deatherage). Hasay had now slungshot
into fifth, pulling away from those quickly shrinking in her rear-view mirror, the five-foot-three talent growing ever larger by the stride.
By now, the Hayward crowd was on its feet, overcome with excited emotion and witnessing history. Although their adrenaline
ride did not stop once she crossed the finish, the clock sure did. After a few drawn out precious seconds of delay, Hasay gazed up
to the oversized video screen and waited until it finally flashed her time: 4:14.50! New national high school record!
She broke into a huge smile, double-pumped her right fist into the air and turned excitedly to acknowledge the cheers from the
crowd. This was the true finish of a high school champion, and a bigger champion in the making, and everyone in the house knew it.
"When Jordan exploded past other runners down the homestretch -- with a gear I didn't know she had-- the big west stands at
Hayward just went nuts," said Jack Shepard, prep historian extraordinaire and prep editor at Track & Field News.
And the legend grows.
"(The high school record) has always been in the back of my mind," she later added. "When we were at 3:22 at 1200 (actually
3:25), I kind of knew if i just pushed it, I would get it. I didn't know where Christine was. I know we were both trying to go for it."
With NBC playing up to the teen sensation while beaming coverage of the meet across the country, the emergence of Hasay
Nation was inevitable.
Now comes a much bigger challenge on a much bigger stage. Sunday's 12-woman -- uh, 11-woman-and-one-girl -- battle for
the bids to Beijing. Could another breakthrough be in the works, this time leading to a trip to China? She's already set for Poland.
Hasay Nation?
Can anyone say... Hasay Planet?
Men's 10,000-Meter Run - Final
TEAM USA MEMBERS:
1 Abdi Abdirahman Nike 27:41.89
2 Galen Rupp unattached 27:43.11
3 Jorge Torres Reebok 27:46.33
Additional non-qualifiers:
10 Tim Nelson Nike 28:29.95
13 Meb Keflezighi Nike 28:39.02
16 Scott Bauhs Cal. St. , Chico 28:54.32
17 Brett Gotcher McMillan Elite 28:54.89
Men's 200-Meter Dash - First round
Top qualifiers:
Heat 1 (Wind = +1.0)
1 Shawn Crawford - Nike - 20.18Q
2 Brent Gray - VS Athletics - 20.64Q
3 Jordan Vaden - adidas - 20.82Q
Heat 2 (Wind = +0.8)
1 Tyson Gay - adidas - 20.43Q
2 Michael Lawrence - unattached - 20.71Q
3 John Capel - unattached - 20.73Q
4 Chris Berrian - unattached - 20.74q
Heat 3 (Wind = -0.3)
1 Bernard Williams - adidas - 20.65Q
2 Rubin Williams - Tennessee - 20.70Q
3 Xavier Carter - Nike - 20.86Q
Heat 4 (Wind = + 1.2)
1 Walter Dix - Florida State - 20.66Q
2 Charles Clark - unattached - 20.76Q
3 Arman Dixon - Sacred Heart - 20.83Q
4 Mickey Grimes - Nike - 21.00Q
Heat 5 (Wind = +1.3)
1 Wallace Spearmon - Nike - 20.81Q
2 Damein White - Cal. St., LA - 20.93Q
3 Rodney Martin - Nike - 21.00Q
Men's 1500-Meter Run - Semifinals
Heat 1
Qualifiers:
1 Bernard Lagat - Nike - 3:43.83Q
2 Rob Myers - Reebok - 3:43.98Q
3 William Leer - Oregon TC Elite - 3:44.19Q
4 Steve Sherer - unattached - 3:44.20Q
5 Alan Webb - Nike - 3:44.23Q
6 Andrew McClary - Arkansas - 3:44.29Q
Additional non-qualifiers:
8 Andrew "A.J." Acosta - Oregon - 3:44.96
11 Garrett Heath - Stanford - 3:45.99
12 Grant Robison - Playmakers Racing - 3:46.08
Heat 2
Qualifiers:
1 Gabriel Jennings - Saucony - 3:40.07Q
2 Lopez Lomong - Nike - 3:40.26Q
3 Leonel Manzano - Nike - 3:40.32Q
4 Christopher Lukezic - Reebok - 3:40.50Q
5 Jon Rankin - Nike - 3:40.81Q
6 Said Ahmed - Nike - 3:41.05Q
Additional non-qualifiers:
8 Andrew Bumbalough - Georgetown - 3:42.45
9 John Jefferson - Oregon TC Elite - 3:44.79
10 Matthew DeBole - Georgetown - 3:45.20
11 Russell Brown - Stanford - 3:46.89
Men's Hammer Throw - Final
TEAM USA QUALIFIERS:
1 A.G. Kruger - Nike - 75.81m - 248-09
2 Kevin McMahon - unattached - 74.49m - 244-05
3 Thomas Freeman - unattached - 73.59m - 241-05
Additional placers:
4 Travis Nutter - unattached - 73.25m - 240-04
5 Michael Mai - U.S. Army - 71.75m - 235-05
6 Cory Martin - Auburn - 71.64m - 235-00
Men's Javelin Throw -qualifying round
Top qualifiers
1 Barry Krammes - Shore AC - 78.97m - 259-01
2 Christopher Hill - unattached - 77.72m - 255-00
3 Brian Chaput - Javelin USA - 75.98m - 249-03
4 Mike Hazle - Nike - 75.57m - 247-11
5 Leigh Smith - unattached - 74.23m - 243-06
6 John Hetzendorf - unattached - 74.19m - 243-05
Men's Triple Jump - qualifying round
Top qualifiers:
1 Walter Davis Nike 16.84mq 1.8 55-03.00
2 Rafeeq Curry Shore A C 16.71mq 2.5 54-10.00
3 Aarik Wilson Nike 16.62mq 1.5 54-06.50
4 Kenta Bell Mizuno 16.60mq -0.3 54-05.50
5 Brandon Roulhac Shore A C 16.54mq -0.9 54-03.25
6 Allen Simms unattached 16.45mq 1.2 53-11.75
Women's 5,000-Meter Run - Final
TEAM USA MEMBERS:
1 Kara Goucher Nike 15:01.02
2 Jennifer Rhines adidas 15:02.02
3 Shalane Flanagan Nike 15:02.81
Additional non-qualifiers:
5 Lauren Fleshman Oregon TC Elite 15:23.18
6 Arianna Lambie Nike 15:29.99
15 Teresa McWalters Stanford 16:09.44
Women's 1500-Meter Run - Semifinals
Heat 1
Qualifiers:
1 Shannon Rowbury Nike 4:11.75Q
2 Amy Mortimer Reebok 4:12.49Q
3 Tiffany McWilliams adidas 4:12.80Q
4 Sara Hall Asics 4:12.89Q
5 Treniere Clement Nike 4:13.24Q
6 Sarah Bowman Tennessee 4:13.29Q
Heat 2
Qualifiers:
1 Lindsey Gallo Reebok 4:12.54Q
2 Christin Wurth Nike 4:12.66Q
3 Erin Donohue Nike 4:13.01Q
4 Morgan Uceny Reebok 4:13.61Q
5 Jordan Hasay unattached 4:14.50Q (national HS record; previous record, C. Babcock, 4:16.42, 2008)
6 Jenelle Deatherage Reebok 4:15.64Q
9 Christine Babcock unattached 4:20.00
Women's 200-Meter Dash - First round
Top qualifiers:
Heat 1 (Wind = +1.4)
1 Marshevet Hooker - adidas - 22.87Q
2 Muna Lee - Nike - 23.27Q
3 Lauryn Williams - Nike - 23.30Q
Heat 2 (Wind = +0.0)
1 Bianca Knight - adidas - 22.74Q
2 Alexandria Anderson - unattached - 23.10Q
3 Mikele Barber - Nike - 23.10Q
Heat 3 (Wind = + 0.5)
1 Allyson Felix - adidas - 22.68Q
2 Stephanie Durst - unattached - 23.15Q
3 Natalie Knight - unattached - 23.38Q
Heat 4 (Wind = +1.2)
1 Carmelita Jeter - Nike - 23.21Q
2 Ebonie Floyd - Nike - 23.49Q 23.487
3 Latonia Wilson - Nike - 23.56Q
Heat 5 (Wind = +2.0)
1 Shalonda Solomon - Reebok - 22.51Q
2 Torri Edwards - Nike - 22.87Q
3 Porscha Lucas - Texas A&M - 23.20Q
Women's High Jump - Finals
TEAM USA MEMBERS
1 Chaunte Howard - Nike 1.97m 6-05.50
2 Amy Acuff - Tri-Valley Asics 1.93m 6-04.00
3 Sharon Day - Asics 1.91m 6-03.25
Additional placers:
4 Deirdre Mullen - Shore AC - 1.91m 6-03.25
5 Sheena Gordon - unattached 1.89m 6-02.25
6 Destinee Hooker - unattached - 1.89m 6-02.25
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