Four women advance to steeplechase finals at US Olympic Trials...
Pasco native Marisa Howard pushed the pace early in the first of two semifinal heats, but managed to get the fifth and final automatic qualifying spot in a time of 9:30.62, as Grayson Murphy won in 9:25.37.
Allie Ostrander of the Seattle based Brooks Beasts was one of the four time qualifiers to Thursday's final, as she finished sixth behind Howard, her former Boise State teammate in 9:35.56.
Washington State alum Caroline Austin was tenth in the heat in 9:56.08, while Woodinville native Olivia Markezich of Notre Dame was 14th in 10:00.45.
In the second semifinal, Washington alum Mel Lawrence (Paul Merca photo for TrackTown USA), who like Howard, owns the Olympic Games qualifying standard of 9:30.00, finished a comfortable third in 9:29.30.
Washington's Katie Rainsberger, who was third on this same track last weekend at the NCAA championships, finished fourth in 9:33.38 to earn a spot in Thursday's steeplechase final.
In the two finals involving athletes with Washington ties, Renton native and Washington State alum Brock Eager finished sixth in the finals of the hammer throw with a toss of 239-4 (72.94m) in the first round.
The mark turned out to be his only fair throw of the afternoon, as he fouled his five remaining throws.
Fellow Cougar Kiana Davis was 12th in the women's triple jump, with a best of 42-5.25 (12.93m), as Keturah Orji won with a Olympic Trials meet record of 47-7.75
From a national perspective, the highlights of Sunday's competition included Allyson Felix finishing second in the 400 to make her fifth Olympic team, running a season best 50.02.
Michael Norman continued his winning ways in the 400, taking the Olympic Trials championship in 44.07.
World record holder Keni Harrison won the women's 100 hurdles in a season best 12.47, and Trayvon Bromell won the 100 meter crown in 9.80 with the top five finishers all clocking times under 10.00.
Monday, Washington alum Denham Patricelli goes in the men's javelin at 4:15 pm, while Brannon Kidder competes in the 800 meter finals at 5:28 pm, and Allie Buchalski runs in the women's 5000 meter finals at 5:40 pm.
NBC Sports (KING 5 in Seattle) and NBCSN, along with nbcsports.com will offer live and streaming coverage of the US Olympic Track & Field Trials.
Day 3 results and the start lists for Monday's events are available here.
NOTE: NBC Sports, TrackTown USA and USA Track & Field contributed to this report.
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