SACRAMENTO, Calif.  – Regina Jacobs on Friday night broke her own American Record in the 5,000 meters by more than 7 seconds, winning the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in a time of 14 minutes, 45.35 seconds. Her previous record was 14:52.49, set in 1998.

Deena Drossin was second in the 5,000 at Hornet Stadium in 15:11.55, with Elva Dryer third in 15:12.07 and Amy Rudolph fourth in 15:21.16.

The win was Jacobs' second of the Olympic Trials. On Sunday (July 16) she won the 1,500 in a time of 4:01.01, using a blistering kick over the final lap. A two-time World Championships silver medalist at 1,500 meters and American recordholder at 1,000 meters, Jacobs ran much of Friday's 5,000 race with Drossin before surging away for a solo run over the final laps.

Jacobs has honed her speed over the course of the outdoor season; at the Prefontaine Classic June 24 in Eugene, Ore., the 36-year-old set a personal best in the 800 with a time of 1:58.08.

Her 5k American Record proved a fitting highlight for one of the finest meets for American women's long distance running on record. Drossin last Friday (July 14) won the Olympic Trials 10k in 31:51.05, leading a group of three American women - including Jen Rhines and Libbie Hickman -- under 32:00 in the same race for the first time in U.S. history. And in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Monday (July 17), Elizabeth Jackson broke the American Record with a time of 9:57.20, making her the first American to break 10:00 in the race.

For links to full coverage of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, including results, quotes and reports, visit the USATF Web site: http://www.usatf.org.

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