Front Page > World > Article Title/Fixture Title

Front Page > Sports

Email | Print | Subscribe

Click-2-Listen

advertisement

Stanford offers stellar Olympic preview

By Steve Nearman
May 4, 2008

Last week's Penn Relays presented a preview of this country's elite short and long sprinters and middle-distance runners who will compete in the Beijing Olympics.

Today's Cardinal Invitational at Stanford will do the same for America's top distance runners — with eight weeks left until the U.S. Olympic team trials in Eugene, Ore.

For many years, the Cardinal Invitational has attracted top-notch runners preparing for nationals or trying to qualify for the Olympics or World Championships or both.

In 2006, Alan Webb and Dathan Ritzenhein continued their rivalry in the mile, which goes back nearly a decade to high school, at the invitational. Webb ran 27:34.72, less than a second ahead of Ritzenhein, making the two the ninth and 10th fastest 10,000-meter runners in U.S. history.

The U.S. record for 10,000 meters? Meb Keflezighi in 27:13.98 at the invitational in 2001.

Shalane Flanagan, the 2004 Olympian and two-time U.S. record-holder, is expected to attempt her third U.S. mark in the 10,000 meters, matching her outdoor 5,000 and indoor 3,000 standards.

Possibly the only competition for her could come from Kim Smith of New Zealand or from Jen Rhines, who has beaten Flanagan before. But Flanagan, who trained hard in the high mountains of Mexico before coming back to sea level to win the USA Cross Country Championships in February, is in top shape.

The women's 1,500 meters includes Stanford's Lauren Centrowitz of Annapolis, Jenelle Deatherage, Sara Hall and former UNC standout Shannon Rowbury. Katie McGregor highlights the 5,000 meters.

Click-2-Listen

Front Page > Sports