Kastor wins OT 10,000m in record-breaking style

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - American record holder Deena Kastor won her fourth U.S. title and second Olympic Trials crown in the 10,000 meters Friday in yet another solo, record-setting performance at the 2004 Olympic Trials.

Kastor, who already qualified for the Olympic Team with her second-place finish in the marathon Olympic Trials, ran utterly alone in the 10,000m, finishing in 31:09.65 to break her own Olympic Trials (31:51.05 in 2000) and U.S. Championships records (31:28.07in 2003). 2000 Olympian Elva Dryer was second in 31:58.14, with Katie O'Neill in third at 32:07.25.

Laura Gerraughty, the 2004 U.S. indoor champion and NCAA indoor and outdoor champ, added yet another title to her year by winning the women's shot put with a throw of 18.50m/60 feet, 8.5 inches. 2003 U.S. indoor and outdoor champion Kristin Heaston was second with 18.10m/59-4.75. Both women have the Olympic A standard and will compete in Athens. Third-place finisher Jillian Camarena of Stanford (17.73m/58-2) has until August 9 to meet the standard of 18.55m/60-10.5.

Tim Broe successfully defended his 2003 U.S. title in the 5,000 meters, using his strength in the final stages of the race to pull ahead for the win in 13:27.36. Two-time U.S. indoor champion Jonathon Riley, only man in the field to have achieved the Olympic A standard, was second in 13:30.85, and Bolota Asmerom was third in 13:32.77.

That's where it gets complicated. Currently, Riley will be the only competitor at Athens because only he has the A standard. Seventh-place finisher Jorge Torres (13:41.79) and 12-place finisher Louis Luchini (13:50.64) were the only finishers who have the B standard, and they will be allowed to chase to A standard before August 9. Broe lacks the Olympic B standard of 13:25.40 and will be listed as the alternate on the team roster that is submitted to the USOC on Sunday; he also will be allowed to chase the A and B standards. If Broe achieves the A standard of 13:21.50, then both he and Riley (and either Torres or Luchini, if they make the A) will compete in Athens. If he achieves the B standard and neither Luchini nor Torres makes the A, then he and not Riley will compete.

Qualifying rounds sizzle

The men's 200-meter quarterfinals drew oohs and aahs from the crowd, with no collective gasp louder than when Shawn Crawford ran an easy-looking 19.88 in the third heat. It is the fastest time ever in the 200m heats in the Olympic Trials, and is the fastest time in the world in two years.

Several other runners were impressive in the 200 as well. Tyson Gay blasted around the curve in the second heat of the men's 200 meters. Possessing a huge lead in the straightaway, the 2004 NCAA 100m champion from the University of Arkansas put the brakes on, yet still ran a personal-best time of 20.07. Justin Gatlin also was strong in heat 1 in 20.06 as Crawford, Gatlin and Gay had by far the fastest times of the round.

With only one athlete to be eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 19-woman women's 200-meter field, races were relaxed. Winning their heats were Connie Moore (22.91), world outdoor silver medalist Torri Edwards (22.60), NCAA runner-up Muna Lee (22.66) and 1999 world champion Inger Miller (22.74). Semifinal rounds will be held Saturday, with the final on Sunday.

Defending world and Olympic Trials champion Tom Pappas led the decathlon after one day of competition with 4,474 points, but 2004 world indoor heptathlon silver medalist Bryan Clay was close behind with 4,471. Pappas posted performances of 10.75 in the 100 meters, 7.51m/24-7.75 in the long jump, 15.87m/52-1 in the shot put, 2.07/6-9.5 in the high jump and 48.01 in the 400m. Clay got out to a blazing start with 10.48 in the 100, then followed up with 7.59m/24-11 in the long jump, 15.28m/50-1.75 in the shot, 2.01/6-7 in the high jump and 47.90 in the 400.

2000 Olympian Michael Stember won the second heat of men's 1,500m semifinals in 3:39.74, leading Alan Webb across the finish line (3:39.92). Nathan Robison won the first semifinal in 3:43.84; the final field of 12 now prepares for Sunday's final.

In the women's 1,500m, U.S. indoor champion Jen Toomey won the first semifinal in 4:14.53, while 2000 Olympic finalist Marla Runyan led four women - including second-place Suzy Favor Hamilton - under 4:10 with her time of 4:09.63.

In qualifying events, Olympic gold medalist Stacy Dragila easily moved to Sunday's final of the women's pole vault. Her only attempt of the day, a clearance at 4.25m/13-11.25, tied her for the top mark with 2004 world indoor finalist Jillian Schwartz, who also needed only one jump. Defending U.S. champion Carl Brown likewise needed one throw to lead all qualifiers to Sunday's final of the men's discus with a toss of 63.84m/209-5.

Royal Mitchell won the exhibition Paralympic 400-meter dash in a time of 50.46.

The top three finishers in each event at the Olympic Trials who have met the Olympic "A" standard are named to the U.S. Olympic Team for Athens.

For results athlete quotes, posted live during competition, visit the Olympic Trials section at www.usatf.org. The USATF Web site also includes a list of all athletes who have achieved the Olympic "A" qualifying standard and full start lists for Saturday's competition.