EUGENE, Ore. – Stanford junior Valarie Allman and sophomore Olivia Baker advanced on the first day of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.
Allman reached the final by finishing seventh in women's discus qualifying and Baker was second in her 800-meter first-round heat Friday to advance to the semifinals on place. They are the first two among seven current Stanford athletes competing at the Trials at Hayward Field.
Allman threw 191-9 to earn a spot among the top 12 to advance to Saturday's final, which begins at 10:45 a.m. Baker ran 2:03.68 in a tactical race to move on to Saturday's semifinals, which begin at 11:43 a.m. Both have achieved the Olympic qualifying standard, meaning Allman will advance to Rio de Janeiro with a top-three finish. Baker seeks a spot in Monday's final.
Allman, the two-time Pac-12 discus champ, achieved her top throw on her first attempt, and followed with a 189-4 and a foul among her three-throw series. She was among six collegians to advance, including three from the Pac-12.
This Hayward Field ring has been good to Allman, who was third at the NCAA Championships there on June 11 when she set three lifetime bests in a single competition, culminating in a top throw of 201-6. This is her fourth U.S. Championships appearance, finishing 15th, 12th, and 10th, in chronological order over the past three years.
Baker, the NCAA 800 runner-up and reigning Pac-12 400 champ, took off quickly – almost too quickly. Baker had to slow down after the break from their lanes because she didn't want to lead. Baker kept herself in good position throughout the race, between third and fifth, but never too far from the front.
She made a big move on the final turn, from fifth to second as the field entered the homestretch. With Ajee Wilson holding the lead on the inside, Baker maintained her form to finish a convincing second in a heat that wound up being the slowest of the five. Among the big names who failed to advance out of the first round were Laura Roesler and Maggie Vessey. Baker was among four collegians to move on.
Four Stanford alums competed Friday, including three in the men's 10,000 final. Chris Derrick was the fastest among them, placing fifth in 28:47.24. Brendan Gregg (28:56.23) was eighth and Jacob Riley (29:06.98) was 12th. In the women's discus, Summer Pierson (173-10), who was been described by Allman as "a mentor," placed 20th and did not advance.
Besides Allman and Baker, Stanford will be represented Saturday by sophomore Harrison Williams, the school-record holder in the two-day, 10-eventdecathlon.
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U.S. Olympic Trials
At Hayward Field
Friday's results of winners and Stanford-affiliated competitors
Men
10,000 final – 1, Galen Rupp (Nike Oregon Project) 27:55.04; 5, Chris Derrick '12 (Bowerman TC) 28:47.24; 8, Brendan Gregg '11 (Hansons-Brooks DP) 28:56.23; 12, Jacob Riley '11 (Hansons-Brooks DP) 29:06.98.
Women
800 first round – Heat 3: 2, Olivia Baker (Stanford), 2:03.68. advanced to semifinals on place.
Discus qualifying – 7, Valarie Allman (Stanford) 191-9 (58.46m), advanced to final; 20, Summer Pierson '00 (unattached) 173-10 (52.98m), did not advance.
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Upcoming Stanford schedule (current athletes, alums, and an incoming freshman)
Saturday (July 2)
TV: NBC, noon; NBCSN, 3 p.m.
9:45 a.m. – Men's decathlon 100 (Harrison Williams).
10:35 a.m. – Men's decathlon long jump (Harrison Williams).
10:45 a.m. – Women's discus final (Valarie Allman).
11:35 a.m. – Men's decathlon shot put (Harrison Williams).
11:43 a.m. – Women's 800 semifinals (Olivia Baker).
12:50 p.m. – Men's decathlon high jump (Harrison Williams).
2:55 p.m. – Men's decathlon 400 (Harrison Williams).
Sunday (July 3)
TV: NBC, 5 p.m.
10 a.m. – Men's decathlon 110 hurdles (Harrison Williams).
10:50 a.m. – Men's decathlon discus (Harrison Williams).
1:15 p.m. – Men's decathlon pole vault (Harrison Williams).
3 p.m. – Men's decathlon javelin (Harrison Williams).
5:33 p.m. – Men's decathlon 1,500 (Harrison Williams).
Monday (July 4)
TV: NBCSN, 5 p.m.
5:02 p.m. – Men's 5,000 first round (Grant Fisher, Sean McGorty, Garrett Heath, Chris Derrick).
5:42 p.m. – Women's 800 final.
Thursday (July 7)
TV: NBCSN, 6 p.m.
11 a.m. – Women's shot put qualifying (Jillian Camarena-Williams).
3:30 p.m. – Women's javelin qualifying (Mackenzie Little).
4:20 p.m. – Women's 5,000 first round (Aisling Cuffe, Sara Bei Hall, Jessica Tonn).
5:58 p.m. – Women's 400 hurdles first round (Kori Carter).
6:15 p.m. – Women's shot put final.
6:26 p.m. – Women's 1,500 first round (Elise Cranny, Christina Aragon).
7:21 p.m. – Men's 1,500 first round (Michael Atchoo, Garrett Heath).
Friday (July 8)
TV: NBCSN, 4 p.m.
4:12 p.m. – Men's 1,500 semifinals.
4:31 p.m. – Women's 400 hurdles semifinals.
5:03 p.m. – Women's 1,500 semifinals.
Saturday (July 9)
TV: NBC, 6 p.m.
4 p.m. – Women's javelin final.
5:20 p.m. – Men's 5,000 final.
Sunday (July 10)
TV: NBC, 5 p.m.
4:03 p.m. – Women's 400 hurdles final.
4:28 p.m. – Women's 5,000 final.
5 p.m. – Women's 1,500 final.
5:20 p.m. – Men's 1,500 final.
