American Record: Bernard Lagat, 3:29.30
2007 U.S. Champion: Alan Webb, 3:34.82
2004 Olympic Trials Champion: Alan Webb, 3:36.13
Top 5 Seed Times
1.) Alan Webb, 3:30.54
2.) Bernard Lagat, 3:34.77
3.) Leo Manzano, 3:35.29
4.) Jon Rankin, 3:35.72
5.) Lopez Lomong, 3:36.36
The men’s 1,500m is more wide open than one might expect. With defending world champion Bernard Lagat and defending U.S. champion Alan Webb in the field, it would seem that there is only one available spot for the other 28 runners in the field to fight for.
Lagat still looks like as close to a sure bet as there is, and Webb has not performed well yet this year and could be vulnerable. He says he’ll be ready and he’ll have to be to make the team.
The next wave of runners looking to step up includes Leo Manzano, a two-time NCAA champion who placed second at last year’s U.S. Championships, Lopez Lomong, the 2007 NCAA champion and fifth-place finisher in the 800m final Monday, and Jon Rankin, the former UCLA star.
Rob Myers placed third at the 2004 Olympic Track & Field Trials and will look for a repeat performance.
Just like in the 800m, the Eugene area will be well represented.
The Oregon Ducks have a pair of sophomores running, in All-American A.J. Acosta and teammate Jordan McNamara.
Oregon Track Club Elite has two runners entered, John Jefferson and Will Lear. Gabe Jennings, the 2000 Olympic Trials champion, also lives in Eugene.