KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak’s Trevor Dunbar gave it the old college try last night in the finals of the 5,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon, but he did not qualify for a trip to London this summer. Dunbar was 11th, with a time of 13-minutes 40-seconds.
Though he shaved almost 10-seconds from his qualifying time, Dunbar was four seconds short of his personal best, and over 20-seconds shy of the minimum to qualify for the Olympics, the so-called "A-Time," of 13:20.
Dunbar said he would be more competitive when the 2016 quadrennial qualifiers are held.
"I feel great. I mean, the Olympics only come around every four years. and I think I’ll have a more realistic chance in four years, but this has given me great experience."
Just 21, Dunbar will be a junior at the University of Oregon this fall.
Galen Rupp held off a home stretch charge from American record holder Bernard Lagat and won with a time of 13-minutes 22.67-seconds. Lopez Lomong was a second-and-a-half behind and secured the third and final spot to the Olympics. Rupp is the first American to win both the 5,000 and the 10,000 meter Olympic qualifiers.
The top three runners in last night’s 5,000 meters had previously set times under 13-minutes 20-seconds and didn’t need to push the pace at the qualifier. The American record is held by the 37-year-old Lagat, which is 30-seconds faster than last night’s winning time.
