July 5, 2008

EUGENE, Ore. - Shalane Flanagan fell just shy of capturing the 5000 Friday night in Eugene, Ore. at the US Olympic Trials as she clocked a 15:02.81 to finish third which garnered her a second Olympic berth. Erin Donohue moved one step closer to joining Flanagan in Beijing as she finished third in her heat to advance to Sunday's final. Allen Johnson, a three-time Olympian and gold medalist, will be in action on Saturday as he looks to qualify in the 110 meter hurdles.

Flangan looked to win her second event in as many weeks in Friday night's final after claiming the 10000 on the opening night of the trials last Friday. She was in the top five for the majority of the race before pulling away with Jennifer Rhines and Kara Goucher with just three laps left. Flanagan led for the majority of those three laps until Goucher pulled away in the final 100 meters to claim the win as Flanagan fell to third place. The third place finish still guarantees Flanagan a spot in the 5000 if she attempts to double in the 10000 as well in Beijing.

Erin Donohue will be featured in the 1500 meter final on Sunday after finishing third in the second heat with a 4:13.01 showing. Donohue will be one of 12 finalists in Sunday's final where she enters with the third best time to date.

Sheena Gordon fell short in her bid to make the Olympic team on Friday as she finished fifth in the final of the high jump. Gordon cleared 6-2 1/4, setting a new personal best in the process but fell an inch shy of third place.

Allen Johnson will be in search of his fourth Olympic bid on Saturday when the opening round of 110 meter hurdles qualifying is set to get under way. Adam Shunk will also be in action as he looks to finish in the top three of the high jump.