It’s the only the second day of trials, but some of the biggest names in track and field are preparing for the preliminary rounds of their best races. After Friday’s preliminaries, some fell in rankings after troublesome rain resulted in lackluster times and the postponing of the women’s pole vault. However, many persevered and wowed the Hayward crowds, securing their spot in Saturday’s events. Others are hoping for better weather as they take to the track for the first time. Here are some of the biggest events of Day 2:
3:40 p.m., Women’s 100 meters (semi-final)
Oregon star English Gardner qualified Friday when she took 3rd in her heat, with a time of 11.27 seconds which put her in ninth overall. Gardner has been prominent on the track and field scene since she was the Pac-10 newcomer of the year in her freshman season. She’ll be racing against seasoned runners Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh.@@names checked@@ Felix took first in her heat and is fourth overall with a time of 11.19. Tarmoh is currently in second overall after finishing second in her heat with a time of 11.16.
4:00 p.m., Men’s 100 meters (prelim)
One of the most familiar names in track and field, Tyson Gay, @@yup@@will be running in this preliminary race. Gay is currently considered the second-fastest man on earth, his 9.56 finish is tied for second of all-time, along with Jamaican Olympian Usain Bolt. He also handed Bolt his first 100-meters loss in two years in 2010.
4:45p.m., Men’s 800 meters (semi-final)
As the top 16 runners from the prelims take to the track, Oregon finds another chance at joining the Olympic team in rising senior Elijah Greer. @@yup@@Finishing 2nd in his heat and tenth overall with a time of 1:47.42, Greer will be competing against track powerhouses Nick Symmonds and Tyler Mulder.@@checked@@ Symmonds won his heat with a time of 1:46.94 putting him in third place overall. Mulder won his heat with a time of 1:46.81, putting him in first place overall. Both represent Nike/Oregon Track Club Elite.
5:52 p.m., Women’s 100 meters (FINAL)
Once the earlier semi-final finishes, one last race will decide who the fastest women in the country are and our new 100 meter Olympic representatives will be announced.