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The Prefontaine Classic: Highlights of American Performances in the Distance Races
From USA Track & Field and the Prefontaine ClassicJune 1-2, 2012
Eugene, OR
See the Prefontaine Classic Web site for results, race videos, and more.
Alysia Montano established both meet and Hayward Field records in the women’s national 800m with her winning time of 1:57.37 on a rainy Friday night, June 1 at Hayward Field during Day One of the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, OR. On Day Two of the Samsung Diamond League meet, Galen Rupp became the first American this year to run sub-13:00 in the men’s 5000m with his third place time of 12:58.90. Watch Race Video of the men's 5000m.
Other distance event highlights on Friday night:
Alice Schmidt won the women’s national 1500m in a personal best time of 4:05.64, and recorded an Olympic “A” standard. She finished just ahead of 2011 World Outdoor Championships gold medalist Jenny Simpson, who placed second in 4:06.10. Watch Race Video
In the men’s international mile, Russell Brown placed second (3:54.48) and Jeff See was fourth (3:55.51) to lead the Americans. Dorian Ulrey was fifth (3:55.62), and Matthew Centrowitz ran a personal best 3:57.44 (eighth). Will Leer was 10th (3:58.65), and Alan Webb faded to 11th (3:59.47). Kenya’s James Kiplagat Magut won the race in 3:54.16. Watch Race Video
Other American women in the 800m: Geena Gall placed second (1:59.28), Molly Beckwith was fourth (2:00.13), and LaTavia Thomas was sixth (2:01.27). Watch Race Video
The Prefontaine Classic also played host to the Olympic Trials for the Kenyan men’s 10,000m, and Wilson Kiprop won the race in a world-leading time of 27:01.98.
Additional distance highlights on Saturday:
Nick Symmonds grabbed the fastest time in the U.S. this year by finishing third in the 800m (1:44.32); Khadevis Robinson placed fourth in 1:44.54. Watch Race Video
David Torrence was the top American (3:52.01, ninth), and Leonel Manzano was twelfth (3:53.07) in the Bowerman Mile. Other Americans finishing sub-4:00 were Bernard Lagat (3:54.28, 14th), Lopez Lomong (3:55.14, 15th), and Andrew Wheating (3:56.77, 16th). Watch Race Video
Elizabeth Maloy placed third (top American) in the women’s 3000m in 8:50.95. Brianna Felnagle was fourth (8:51.38), Lisa Uhl was fifth (8:52.95), Molly Huddle was seventh (8:57.86), and Amy Hastings was eighth (8:58.21).
Emma Coburn placed fifth (9:25.28) in the women's 3000m steeplechase.
The Prefontaine Classic was the second stop for the Visa Championship Series. Complete results from the 38th Prefontaine Classic can be found at www.diamondleague.com. The Diamond League will continue on Thursday, June 7 in Oslo, Norway, and the Visa Championship Series will return on Saturday, June 9 at the adidas Grand Prix in New York.
Day One Athlete Quotes
Alysia Montano, women’s national 800m“I feel great. It was a really nice run. I am so excited of things to come. I feel great about where things are at right now. I actually appreciated the fact that it did rain. It’s just like London weather. I have so much motivation right now.”
Alice Schmidt, women’s national 1500m
“It was a great race for me. It was a big, fat PR (personal record) and I will take that. It’s good for me to race a lot. I just finally dipped under 4:06 to pick up the (Olympic) ‘A’ standard and I am very excited about that. The Trials will be a lot of racing for me and I am excited about that. I love it here. I have won here a few times before and it’s such a great town.”
Russell Brown, men’s international mile
“It was a solid day. I spotted him a little too much. Maybe I should have looked at the clock more. Second place against a huge field like this is a great feeling. It does set me up for the Trials really well. But I know there are guys here that aren’t as satisfied with their race as I was. We have done things different this year and I don’t think I will have the same dip I had last year.”
Day Two Athlete Quotes
Galen Rupp, men’s 5000m“It was a great race and there is no better place to be at than here. My training has been going very well. I was just looking to show up here and compete. I think we (Team USA) will be able to compete well in London. The next step for us is to get more people competing. It’s a general attitude for us.”
Emma Coburn, women’s steeplechase
“With the level that I am at the goal is making the team. My goals are focused on the Trials. This race indicates to me that I am in shape. It was a fun race. It makes me excited to come back and race here again.”
Nick Symmonds, men’s 800m
“The first lap was a little more bunched than I would have like it to be. I still have some sharpening to do. I told myself that no matter what I did I needed to be in the top three coming off the final turn. I wanted to be breaking with everyone else. I think people love to Prefontaine Classic, but at the same time it’s early. We still have a lot of work to do.”