June 27, 2008
EUGENE, Ore. -- Washington State freshman phenom Jeshua Anderson ran the fastest time in the men's 400m hurdles qualifying heats at the USA Olympic Trials Friday night in Eugene.
Anderson, from Woodland Hills, Calif., ran a time of 49.05 seconds, the fastest time among the 29 men running in this first of three rounds. Wearing his crimson Cougars uniform, Anderson cruised to the tape in the fourth heat, keeping his unbeaten streak of 2008 in tact. Also advancing out of the prelims is WSU alum Eric Dudley who ran a time of 49.39, 13th fastest. Sixteen competitors advanced to the semifinals which will be run at Hayward Field Saturday at 3:55 p.m. Pacific Time.
Anderson's post-race quotes (from the USA Track & Field Olympic Trials website): On running against the elite competition, in the Olympic Trials: "I was a little scared but I got on the track and just let it all go. I prayed over it, thanked God for all the blessings He's given me, and hopefully He'll see me through the rest of my rounds."
On beating Kerron Clement in the prelims, Anderson said, "It doesn't mean anything right now; I just need to make it to the finals, that's all I'm worried about. I'm just praying and staying humble. I'll let God do the rest."
Former Cougar Diana Pickler is in second place after the first day of the women's heptathlon with 3,750 points while her sister Julie Pickler is in 11th with 3,386 points after four events. Hyleas Fountain leads with 3,989 points.
In quotes provided on the USATF Olympic Trials website, Diana Pickler said, "For tomorrow, I just need to focus on the long jump and stay strong. I don't have any concerns, and am ready for all of the things tomorrow. I think [the heptathlon] will be my niche; I'm just working on it every day."
On being the sole Olympic competitor during the high jump Pickler said, "It was a really good feeling, I just soaked in the moment for sure. It was fun starting, I mean it's really neat that we're starting off the Olympic Trials."
Bernard Lagat ran a time of 13 minutes, 54.93 seconds in the semifinals of the men's 5000m, fifth-best on the day and among the 15 to advance to the Monday night final.
In post-race quotes posted on the USATF.org website, Lagat said, "I just wanted to get into position for a top-six finish. This is amazing. I'm happy to be doing this for the United States, and I'm happy to do this for my family. I'm just happy to be here."
The day was not as bright for former Cougar Blessing Ufodiama who triple jumped a distance of 43-feet, 1/2 inch, 21st overall in the prelims and only the top 12 advance to the final.
For more information, go to the www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-TF/schedule.asp.
Men 400 Meter Hurdles
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World: W 46.78 8/6/1992 Kevin Young, USA
American: A 46.78 8/6/1992 Kevin Young, Foot Locker AC
OT: T 47.37 7/17/1988 Edwin Moses, Team adidas
Hayward: S 47.69 1993 Kevin Young, USA
Name Year Team Prelims
================================================================
Heat 1 Preliminaries
1 Terry Thornton unattached 49.54Q
2 Justin Gaymon Georgia 49.64Q
3 Robert Griffin Baylor 49.74Q
4 James Carter Nike 49.94q
5 Johnny Dutch South Carolina 49.96q
6 Nick Robinson Texas A&M 50.45 50.448
7 Ben Clark VS Athletics 50.88
Heat 2 Preliminaries
1 Bershawn Jackson Nike 49.63Q
2 LaRon Bennett unattached 49.99Q
3 Joey Woody unattached 50.34Q
4 LaBronze Garrett unattached 50.46
5 Rickey Harris unattached 50.56
6 Kai Kelley U S C 52.29
7 Kenneth Ferguson adidas 53.13
Heat 3 Preliminaries
1 Reuben McCoy Auburn 49.87Q
2 Brandon Johnson Nike 50.11Q
3 Nathaniel Garcia U.S. Army 50.35Q
4 Michael Tinsley adidas 50.37
5 Justin Boyd Baylor 50.45 50.449
6 Thomas Hilliard unattached 51.59
7 Derrick Williams Reebok 51.92
8 Jake Hanson California 52.67
Heat 4 Preliminaries
1 Jeshua Anderson unattached 49.05Q
2 Kerron Clement Nike 49.13Q
3 Angelo Taylor Nike 49.34Q
4 Eric Dudley unattached 49.39q
5 Brian Derby Phenetix Intl 50.19q
6 Kyle Erickson unattached 50.81
7 Damian Prince unattached 50.97
================================================================
World: W 46.78 8/6/1992 Kevin Young, USA
American: A 46.78 8/6/1992 Kevin Young, Foot Locker AC
OT: T 47.37 7/17/1988 Edwin Moses, Team adidas
Hayward: S 47.69 1993 Kevin Young, USA
Name Year Team Prelims
================================================================
Preliminaries
1 Jeshua Anderson unattached 49.05Q
2 Terry Thornton unattached 49.54Q
3 Bershawn Jackson Nike 49.63Q
4 Reuben McCoy Auburn 49.87Q
5 Kerron Clement Nike 49.13Q
6 Justin Gaymon Georgia 49.64Q
7 LaRon Bennett unattached 49.99Q
8 Brandon Johnson Nike 50.11Q
9 Angelo Taylor Nike 49.34Q
10 Robert Griffin Baylor 49.74Q
11 Joey Woody unattached 50.34Q
12 Nathaniel Garcia U.S. Army 50.35Q
13 Eric Dudley unattached 49.39q
14 James Carter Nike 49.94q
15 Johnny Dutch South Carolina 49.96q
16 Brian Derby Phenetix Intl 50.19q
17 Michael Tinsley adidas 50.37
18 Nick Robinson Texas A&M 50.45 50.448
19 Justin Boyd Baylor 50.45 50.449
20 LaBronze Garrett unattached 50.46
21 Rickey Harris unattached 50.56
22 Kyle Erickson unattached 50.81
23 Ben Clark VS Athletics 50.88
24 Damian Prince unattached 50.97
25 Thomas Hilliard unattached 51.59
26 Derrick Williams Reebok 51.92
27 Kai Kelley U S C 52.29
28 Jake Hanson California 52.67
29 Kenneth Ferguson adidas 53.13
