July 15, 2004
Sacramento, Ca - Jill Camarena's dream of being a member of the United States Olympic team is still alive.
Camarena, a June graduate of Stanford, had the third-best throw in the shot put during qualifying rounds at the 2004 United States Olympic Trials at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State.
Camarena, on her first effort of the day, threw the shot put 55-7 1/2 (16.95m). Camarena, a seven-time All-American, is trying to become only the third woman shot putter in Stanford history to be a member of the United States Olympic team.
The top three finishers in Friday's final (7:45 p.m.) will make the Olympic team but there is one problem for Camarena. If she places in the top three, she still needs to meet the Olympic "A" standard of 60-10 1/2 (18.55m). Camarena's best effort is a school record 59-6 3/4 (18.15m). Camarena would have until August 9 to meet the Olympic standard.
Kristin Heaston (58-10, 17.93m) and Laura Gerraughty (58-3, 17.75m) were 1-2 in the prelims.
In the quarterfinals of the 1500 meters, Michael Stember, Grant Robison, Donald Sage, and Jason Lunn all advanced to the semifinals (7/16/04, 7:40 p.m., pt). Stember, a 2001 Stanford graduate and a member of the 2000 United States Olympic team, had the day's best time (3:41.65). Grant Robison, a June graduate and the 2003 NCAA champion, had a time of 3:43.79. Sage, a senior-to-be at Stanford, ran a 3:47.24 while Jason Lunn (a 1998 Stanford graduate) ran 3:47.29. In all, 24 runners advanced to Friday's semifinals.
The top three finishers at the U.S. Olympic Trials who have already met the Olympic "A" qualifying standard in their event will be named to the Team USA roster for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
For complete results at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials, go to www.usatf.org