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| 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Track & Field
University of Oregon, Hayward Field - Eugene OR
June 27 - July 6, 2008
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Thursday 7/3 - Babcock and Hasay both advance
Highlights - USATF's Results Page - John Nepolitan Photo Gallery
Different approaches on post-season mix yield similar results for Cali stars, high jumper Kynard
Story by SteveU, photos John Nepolitan
 | Babcock (above) and Hasay (below) each led their respective 1500s, though Hasay's stay at the front lasted longer. Photos John Nepolitan
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The two California prep distance queens who took the stage in the 1500 prelims at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials Thursday had almost identical results, both finishing 7th in their heats, both running times less than a tenth of a second apart, and finishing 1-2 among the time qualifiers (top six in each heat were auto-qualifiers).
But Woodbridge CA sr Christine Babcock and Mission Prep CA jr Jordan Hasay definitely had different goals, different approaches, and were coming into the action from different perspectives. The other prep competing Thursday, Toledo (Rogers) OH high jumper Erik Kynard, was a non-qualifying 17th in his event (7-00.50) and had yet a third take on what it all meant.
Babcock, who crossed the line in 4:18.32, 1.90 seconds off her new high school record, afforded herself a very singular focus. She had hoped to qualify for the Trials since the end of cross-country last fall, and her only other race after the state meet was the 1500 she ran at Mt. SAC on June 15 to get the qualifying time (her HSR 4:16.42). No NON, no Juniors. She also didn’t have any serious goals about time or place – it was just to run her race and get the experience.
Hasay, on the other hand, was going for it all. Already having made three Team USAs, she was aiming for a fourth in Columbus two weeks ago, but also with firm plans to compete in the Trials. She faced not one, but two logistical challenges, however. While Babcock’s time was far enough into the top 30 (entries that would be accepted) that there was little question if she would make the cutoff, Hasay’s was on the bubble, fluctuating between being in or out until the last day. Furthermore, Hasay and her coach learned the weekend of the USA Junior meet that the team was going to be required to fly together to Poland on July 4, contrary to previously more lenient travel options and negating an opportunity for her to run in the Trials semifinals, if she made it.
Despite all that, Hasay toed the line Thursday night for her one chance, still hoping to advance and also to beat Babcock’s record. Her 4:18.39 was short of that mark and her own 4:16.98 PR, but made it into the semifinals. Of course, at the time, Jordan thought it was her final race here. Later Thursday night, she learned she could race Friday (and Sunday, if she makes the Finals) after all.
The high jumper Kynard also made the US Junior Team and had the situation of being able to compete in the qualifying for his event, but not the final if he made it. In his case, though, he did not have a preconceived plan seeing both meets through to the end and rolled with the changes. His mission has simply been to continue to come back from a spring injury and regain the form that got him over 7-03.75 indoors. He made 7-00.50 (2.15m) Thursday, but not the 7-02.50 that would have been needed to advance. Trying to take it up another notch will be his goal in Poland.
Babock's experience
So it was without fanfare or drama that Babcock took to the line, simply wanting to run her race, compete well, and get that experience. She didn’t want to get caught in the pack early, so she took it out just ahead, passing 400 in 68.8, just ahead of the other eight. Eventual winner Christin Wurth took over before 800, reaching in 2:16.6, with Babcock just about a second back in the pack.
Babcock was able to increase her pace slightly in the third lap, reaching 1200 in 3:25.5, but Wurth and the other top followers dipped under 66 for the third lap, hitting 3:22.5. Then PR-type pace left the Woodbridge star with nothing left to kick with, so she just held on as well as she could the last 300. She was about 70 on her last lap from the finish line, still crossing with a very respectable time of 4:18.32, five seconds back.
The higher level of competition was something that Babcock, unlike Hasay, definitely had no experience with. “It was mentally harder, with people passing me,” she said. “I had to tell myself it was ok, they’re supposed to be passing me.”
Babcock didn’t come in with definite time goals in terms of pace or place, but she also knew what her type of race is and where her best chances to do well lay. “I knew I had to run an even pace … no matter where that put me,” she said. “I’m more of an even runner. I just had to do what I do and not worry about everyone else.”
She also knew that leaving it to a kick wouldn’t work too well, and the fact that she pushed it like she did helped her heat to be the fastest of the three. Despite being out of the top six at the end, she qualified for the next round relatively easily.
As Babcock talked with reporters in the mixed zone, she took a few moments to race the next heat, with Hasay, on the TV monitor, but she was pretty much unconcerned about whether or not she would advance. She was the same way when she discovered she had a spike wound on her lower leg – unfazed, taking everything in stride.
“It’s been an incredible here … but I also haven’t wanted to get caught up in the hype. I’m just here to get experience and prepare for college. I feel very blessed to be here.”
Hasay's experience
Hasay, on the other hand, was determined to go for the record and was determined to advance, even if at the time she didn’t think she’d have a chance to race the semifinals. It was the principle of the thing.
So, against a field which was equally determined to expend as little energy as possible, Hasay led. The first lap was 68-high, with the field close behind. Then she made a tactical error that cost her a chance at a record.
“I slowed down so someone else would take the lead,” she said. “I should have kept pushing. I wanted to run a fast time and get the high school record.”
But she allowed that 2nd lap to go in almost 74 seconds. She crossed in 2:22.6, the entire field bunched behind her. Then she picked it back up. When they hit a lap to go, Jordan had picked it back up, but the other women – including favorite Shannon Rowbury, ranked #4 on the current world list – were revving their engines for powerful kicks. Rowbury would win the heat in 4:16.13, with a 61.8 close, while the California prep was a very respectable 64.1 for 4:18.39, swinging wide with 100 to go and hammering a decent final straight.
Jordan could smile about the final lap. “Coach told me Shannon would ‘drop the barrel,’ and don’t be ashamed if she and some of the others pass me,” she said. Then, with a laugh, “After the finish, Erin Donahue told me she was sorry, that they kind of let the ‘rookie’ go out.
Then, as if relaxing her own ambitions about the whole thing and showing her giving spirit, she added, “I didn’t expect to lead so much of the race. But it WAS an honor to lead the Trials … to lead the race for them. It’s their Trials.”
The World Juniors are a different story, and Jordan isn’t shy about her goals. “The first goal is to win a medal. Then to get the record. I have one more shot.”
 | | Erik Kynard (from USATF Juniors). Photo by John Nepolitan |
Kynard's experience
Erik Kynard was somewhat disappointed after his performance, but wore the visage and attitude of someone who knows it’s coming back, has better days ahead, and got something extra out of his Trials experience.
“There was a lot of nervousness,” the Toledo Rogers junior said. “I mean, I was jumping against all of my idols. But it was a really nice experience. There was a lot of love out there. Everyone kind of roots for everyone.” With a laugh, he added, “And I definitely got a lot of input about which schools (colleges) I should consider.”
But as for the jumping? “It was rough,” he said. “Man, I didn’t want to be the first guy to go out.” He wasn’t, clearing 2.15 (7-00.50) on his third attempt.
Then came 2.20 (7-02.50). “My jumps were actually all right at that height,” Kynard said. “The last jump … it was there.”
But despite almost everything going right, he didn’t get over the bar. The bigger problem for Kynard was another spring-time injury – long jumping – similar to what happened last year. That resulted in 2008 being a lot like 2007, with a great indoor campaign, but a so-so outdoor season. “Outside, they just want to throw me in a lot of different events,” he said. “But next year, it’s just going to be high jumping.”
Before next year, though, there’s Poland, and a chance to get closer to that so-high standard he established indoors. “I didn’t think it (making the team) was going to happen. But I’m healthy now, getting better. I’m still knocking off rust (from time off during injury). I was pretty close today … I saw how close on the last jump.”
Prep Highlights
- In the first heat of the women's 1500, Christine Babcock CA qualified for Friday's semifinals by finishing 7th in 4:18.32. After the 18 automatic qualifiers overall (top 6 from each race), she had the first time qualifier. She led a close pack early, drifted to the middle and back later, then was gapped somewhat when the kicking started, but she held well enough for a time less than 2 seconds off her PR.
- In the 2nd heat of the women's 1500, Jordan Hasay CA also qualified for Friday's semifinals by taking 7th, her 4:18.39 being .07 off Babcock's time, but as the 2nd time qualifier after the autos. Hasay led the race through 400s of 68 and 2:22; several elites kicked past her when the racing began in the last 400, but she got one on the stretch. Edit: Hasay was originally not going to be able to run the semis due to Friday's scheduled trip to the World Juniors in Poland, but she has been granted an extension to travel there later after competing in Eugene Friday.
- In the men's high jump prelims, Erik Kynard OH cleared 2.15 (7-00.50) on his 3rd attempt, but missed 3 times at 2.20 (7-02.50) to finish tied for 17th and out of the finals. Kynard, however, is also headed for the World Juniors.
Thursday Preps to Watch For (all times PT)
- Women's 1500 prelims (7:30 p.m.) - Californians Christine Babcock and Jordan Hasay will toe the line today and mix it up with the big girls.
- Babcock, running in Heat 1, hit a 4:16.42 qualifier after her state meet that got her high enough on the entry list that she hasn't had to worry about getting in. She'll be trying to make it to Friday night's semifinals. The prelims will eliminate just 6 of 30 entrants.
- Meanwhile, Hasay, running in heat two, did not learn until yesterday that she made the cut in the top 30. With Nicole Blood and Nicole Teter being late scratches, Hasay moved up to 29th on the list with her 4:16.98 from last year. No matter where she places tonight, this will be the only race Hasay runs at the Trials; she leaves tomorrow with the World Junior Team for Poland. Edit: Hasay was originally not going to be able to run the semis due to Friday's scheduled trip to the World Juniors in Poland, but she has been granted an extension to travel there later after competing in Eugene Friday.
- Men's High Jump prelims (7:25 p.m.) - Toledo (Rogers) OH high jumper Erik Kynard will try and regain his indoor form, where he cleared 7-03.75, as he tries to make the final in the high jump. He is tied for 15th on the entry list.
US Olympic Trials Index |
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