Top Ohio athletes at the Trials

(By Matt McGowan) A number of Ohio athletes had outstanding performances at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field - Team Trials.

Hyleas Fountain who is from Pennsylvania and now living and training in the Dayton area won five of the seven events in the hepthalon to win with 6,667 points. Fountain also finished fourth in the long jump with a leap of 4th 21 feet 11.75 inches.

A.G. Kruger the strength and conditioning coach at Ashland University,qualified for his second Olympic Team with his win in the winning hammer toss of 248 feet-9 inches, which is the top throw by an American this year.

Former University of Cincinnati and Walnut Hills High School runner Mary (Danner) Wineberg finished second in the 400 with her 50.85 clocking. At the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships, Wineberg ran the third leg of the 4x400 meter relay that brought home the gold medal in a world-leading 3:18.55 and, individually, she took 8th place in the 400 meter in 50.96.

Brigham Young University and Broadview Heights High School graduate Josh McAdams came from behind in the final 600 meters to earn a spot on the Olympic team as he placed third in the 3000 meter steeplechase in 8:21.99. Last year McAdams was the USA Outdoor and Pan American Games champion.

Former University of Cincinnati and Wyoming High School athlete David Payne placed third in the 110 meter hurdles with his time of 13.25. Payne was the bronze medalist at the 2007 World Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Kent State University and Mogadore High School Kim Kreiner made her second Olympic team placing fourth with a throw of 183-05. Kreiner who won the 2004 Olympic trials made the Olympic team as two of the athletes who placed ahead of her did not have the Olympic “A” standard.

University of Rio Grande graduate Matthew Boyles was 2nd in the 20,000 km race walk with his time of 1:28:20. Boyles did not meet the Olympic “A” standard.

Meadowdale High School and University of Tennessee athlete Kameisha Bennett finished third in the 800 meters in 2:01.20. Bennett time did not meet the Olympic “A” standard.

Three women with Ohio ties ran in the 10,000 meter. University of Michigan and Willoughby South High School athlete Katie McGregor was one of the three women who enter the 10,000 meter race with the “A” standard. McGregor was in fourth most of the race and looked to make the Olympic team as Amy Yoder Begley was well of the “A” standard pace the first 5,000 meter of the race. However, Begley forced the pace for the next two miles and ran her last mile in 4:49 and the final lap under 68 seconds to better the Olympic standard ”A” by 1.4 seconds and earn the third spot on the team. University of Kentucky and Grandview Heights High School graduate Allison Grace placed seventeenth in 33:40.84. University of Dayton and Beavercreek High School athlete Tara Storage placed twenty-first in 34:24.84. Kara Storage, Tara’s twin sister also qualified for the Olympic trials but was not able to run due to an injury.

Three men with Ohio ties ran the 3000 meter steeple chase. Josh McAdams placed third to earn his trip to the Beijing Olympics. Miami University graduate Daniel Huling placed fifth in 8:35.30. Ridgewood High School and Ohio State University athlete Brian Olinger who was in second place until the final 600 meters finished seventh in 8:36.09. Huling and Olinger trained in Columbus under the guidance of two-time Olympian and Ohio State cross country and track coach, Robert Gary.

Ohio State University and Fairfield Union High School graduate Rob Myers who placed third in the 2004 Trials, but did not have the Olympic “A’ standard, toed the starting line with the “A” standard this year. Myers placed ninth in 3:42.62. Ohio State University junior and Middletown High School athlete Jeff See missed qualifying for the 1500 meter finals by one spot has he placed seventh in his semi final heat in 3:44.73.

Eugene, Oregon will also be the site of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track and Field - Team Trials. The town of Eugene and the Eugene 08 committee did an excellent job hosting the Trails at historic Hayward Field and I hope to return in four year. However, I hope the USATF look at other sites in the future to allow fans from various geographical areas a chance to witness the best athletes in the United States. Columbus, Ohio was a finalist for the 2008 Trials and would like to have a chance to bid and host the Trials in the future.

Great job to everyone who participated and good luck to all of the athletes competing in the Olympics!!