Beijing Bound'
June 25, 2008 | Men's Track & Field
Led by the top-ranked men's 5,000-meter runner in the country, several former and current members of the University of Wisconsin men's and women's track and field teams will compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials. The Trials begin Friday and run through July 6 at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.
Matt Tegenkamp, a 2005 UW graduate, is seeded first in the men's 5,000 meters. The former Badger has a personal best time of 13 minutes, 07.41 seconds. The Lee's Summit, Mo., native finished fourth in the 5,000 meters at the 2007 World Championships. 2007 grad Chris Solinsky is seeded second in the 5,000 meters with a personal best time of 13:12.24 while Fitchburg, Wis., resident and former Stanford standout Jonathon Riley is seeded eighth in 13:19.92. The trio will compete in the 5,000-meter semifinals on Friday at 8:40 p.m. PDT. The final of the men's 5,000 will be held on Monday at 9:40 p.m. PDT.
Other former Badgers competing are Darren Niedermeyer, a 2005 graduate, in the men 's pole vault; Demi Omole, a 2007 graduate, in the men's 100 meters; Joe Detmer, a 2007 graduate, in the men's decathlon; Jenelle Deatherage, a 1999 graduate, in the women's 1500 meters; Alonzo Moore, a 20026 graduate, in the men 's triple jump; Tim Nelson, a 2007 graduate, and Matt Downin, a 2000 graduate, in the men's 10,000 meters.
Several current and former UW athletes have qualifying marks for the Trials but will not find out until two days before their event if they will compete. The list includes Katrina Rundhaug in the women's 5,000 and 10,000 meters; Ann Detmer in the women 's 1500 meters; `A Havahla Haynes in the women's steeplechase; and Jack Bolas, Evan Jager and Craig Miller in the men's 1500 meters.
Several days of the Trials will be broadcast on USA and NBC. Check your local listings for times.
For a complete list of entries and meet schedule, log on to www.usatf.org or www.eugene08.com
