Olympic Trials day 8 preview...

EUGENE--Olympians Bernard Lagat, Ian Waltz & Jarred Rome lead a contingent of eleven athletes with state of Washington affiliations into Sunday’s final day of competition at the US Olympic Team Trials-Track & Field at Hayward Field.

Lagat, a graduate of Washington State University, and the reigning world champion, will shoot for his second Olympic team berth in the men’s 1500 meters at 5:50 pm. He already has a spot on the US Olympic team by virtue of his victory in the 5000 meters earlier in the meet.

He will be joined in the 1500 finals by former Auburn HS graduate Chris Lukezic (left/photo by Paul Merca), a 2005 world championship team member, and Andy McClary, a Shelton HS product.

In the men’s discus, 2004 Olympians Ian Waltz, formerly of WSU, and Jarred Rome, who attended Marysville-Pilchuck, will vie for their second straight Olympic team at 2:20 pm.

They’ll be joined in the discus finals by former Husky Will Conwell, and current Cougar Matt Lamb.

Arend Watkins will run in the semi-finals of the men’s 110 hurdles at 3:15 pm, with the opportunity to compete in the finals at 5:30 pm.

Two-time US national champion Ginnie Powell, formerly of Rainier Beach HS will run in the semifinals of the women’s 100 meter hurdles at 3:35, with the finals at 5:40 pm if she places in the top four.

At 4 pm, Thomas Jefferson HS grad Kyle Jenkins will be one of twelve finalists in the men’s triple jump.

At 4:15, Washington State University senior Jon Jeffreys will throw in the finals of the men’s javelin.

Here’s the complete schedule of athletes competing on Sunday with their Washington connection, and the link to the start lists.

WOMEN:
Ginnie Powell (Rainier Beach HS) 100 hurdles

MEN:
Will Conwell (UW/Club Northwest) Discus throw
Matt Lamb (WSU) Discus throw
Jon Jeffreys (WSU) Javelin throw
Kyle Jenkins (Thomas Jefferson HS) Triple jump
Bernard Lagat (WSU) 1500 meters
Chris Lukezic (Auburn HS) 1500 meters
Andrew McClary (Shelton HS) 1500 meters