July 1, 2012
EUGENE, Ore. -
Former Golden Bear star David Torrence placed sixth in the final of the 1500 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials Sunday, missing out on a berth to the London Games by just over a second.
In a tightly bunched field of 12, Torrence was in ninth with 800 meters to go, yet was still less than a second off the pace. By the start of the final lap, he had moved up to second, but 10 runners remained within a second of each other, setting up an exciting finish.
In the end, Leonel Manzano won in 3:35.75, with Matthew Centrowitz second in 3:35.84 and Andrew Wheating third in 3:36.68 to lock up the three Olympic berths. Torrence crossed the line in 3:37.70.
Cal wrapped up the nine-day trials with eight different Bears either placing among the top 10 or reaching an event final, including Alysia Montano, who captured the women's 800 meters to advance to the Olympics.
Senior-to-be Deborah Maier took ninth in the 10,000 meters and came back less than a week later to finish 13th in the 5000 meters. Magdalena Lewy Boulet, a 2008 Olympian in the marathon, also placed 11th in the 5K.
Others to reach the final rounds, in addition to Torrence, were: Tracey Stewart (women's triple jump), Ed Wright (men's high jump), Allison Stokke (women's pole vault) and Kristen Meister (women's high jump),
U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials
Hayward Field / Eugene, Ore.
Complete Results
California Results
Men's 1500m (final) - 6. David Torrence 3:37.70
