July 3, 2008

EUGENE, Ore. - Current Huskies Michelle Turner and Katie Follett, and incoming freshman Christine Babcock all advanced to the semifinals of the 1500-meter run today as the Olympic Track and Field Trials continued at Hayward Field.

The trio was part of seven Husky affiliated athletes competing today, four of which ran the 1500. Senior Amanda Miller (Wenatchee, Wash.) did not advance out of the third heat.

Turner (Orem, Utah) had the highest finish of the group, taking sixth in heat No. 3 in a time of 4:18.79. In the second heat, Follett ran 4:19.00 to finish 8th and advanced to the semis based on her time.

Babcock, a senior at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, Calif., actually posted the fastest time among UW entrants, finishing 7th in the first heat in a time of 4:18.32. The semifinals will take place on Friday at 8:25 p.m.

In the field events, former NCAA Champion Kate (Soma) Conwell tied for 13th in the pole vault qualifying, but did not advance to the final. Conwell cleared 13-5 ¼ on her second attempt, but failed to get up and over at 13-9 ¼.

Conwell's husband Will qualified for the finals in the men's discus throw, finishing 9th in the prelims with a best throw of 193-feet and 3-inches. Washington assistant coach Reedus Thurmond, husband of women's discus champion Aretha Thurmond, had a best throw of 188-4 in the discus, but did not move on.

Tomorrow will feature Follett, Turner, and Babcock in the 1500m semis, as well as former Husky Justin St. Clair in the javelin. Current junior Jordan Boase is also declared in the 200m dash, but was bothered by a blister in the 400-meters so his status is uncertain.

Friday, June 27
Brad Walker - Men's Pole Vault Qualifying - 18-4 ½, top qualifier
Aretha Thurmond - Women's Discus Qualifying - 201-1, 3rd overall, advances to final
Cecilia Barnes - Women's Discus Qualifying - 176-8, 9th overall, advances to final
Ryan Brown - Men's 800m Run Quarterfinal - 1:49.20, 2nd in heat, advances to semis
Norris Frederick - Men's Long Jump Qualifying - 25-2, 14th overall, did not qualify

Saturday, June 28
Men's 800m Run Semifinal - Ryan Brown, 1:47.95, 14th overall, does not advance

Sunday, June 29
Men's Pole Vault Final - Brad Walker; 18-6 ½, 3rd, earns Olympics bid
Women's Discus Final - Aretha Thurmond; 213-11, 1st, earns Olympics bid
Women's Discus Final - Cecilia Barnes; 186-6, 5th
Jordan Boase - Men's 400m Dash Quarterfinal - 46.31, 3rd in heat, advances to semis

Monday, June 30
Men's 400m Dash Semifinal - Jordan Boase; 46.60, 7th in heat, does not advance
Kelly Strong - Women's 3000m Steeplechase Semifinal - 10:13.70, 9th in heat, does not advance

Tuesday, July 1 - Wednesday, July 2
Rest Day

Thursday, July 3
Kate Conwell - Women's Pole Vault Qualifying - 13-5 ¼, tied for 13th overall, does not advance
Christine Babcock - Women's 1500m Run Quarterfinal - 4:18.32, 7th in heat, advances to semis
Katie Follett - Women's 1500m Run Quarterfinal - 4:19.00, 8th in heat, advances to semis
Amanda Miller - Women's 1500m Run Quarterfinal - 4:24.45, 10th in heat, does not advance
Michelle Turner - Women's 1500m Run Quarterfinal - 4:18.79, 6th in heat, advances to semis
Will Conwell - Men's Discus Throw Qualifying - 193-3, 9th overall, advances to final
Reedus Thurmond - Men's Discus Throw Qualifying - 188-4, 18th overall, does not advance

Friday, July 4
Justin St. Clair - Men's Javelin Throw Qualifying, 5:30 p.m.
Jordan Boase - Men's 200m Dash Qualifying, 6:50 p.m.
Women's 1500m Run Semifinal, 8:25 p.m.

Saturday, July 5
Ashley Lodree - Women's 100m Hurdles Qualifying, 11 a.m.; Quarterfinal, 1:15 p.m.
Men's 200m Dash Quarterfinal, 12:10 p.m.; Semifinal, 2:29 p.m.

Sunday, July 6
Men's Discus Throw Final, 2:20 p.m.
Women's 100m Hurdles Semifinal, 3:35 p.m.; Final, 5:40 p.m.
Women's 1500m Run Final, 4:05 p.m.
Men's Javelin Throw Final, 4:15 p.m.
Men's 200m Dash Final, 4:25 p.m.