July 2, 2008

Lionel Larry will race in the men's 400m finals on Thursday (July 3) to highlight the action for the Trojans at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials held in Eugene, Ore., but he will not be alone as Brysun Stately in the women's pole vault and alums Leslie Coons in the women's hammer and Jesse Williams in the men's high jump will compete in qualifying action.

Larry advanced to Thursday's final by taking fourth in his 400m semifinals heat Monday with a time of 45.55. He advanced to the semifinals by winning his qualifying round heat with a time of 45.89.

Duane Solomon ran in the exciting men's 800m finals on Monday, but did not make the Olympic team as he finished sixth with a time of 1:45.78, with .31 seconds separating the third through sixth-place finishers. Solomon who likes to run in the lead repeatedly was boxed in throughout the race and could not break through down the stretch.

Also on Monday, former Trojan Adam Midles placed 14th in the men's hammer throw qualifying round with a throw of 221-1 (67.40m), but missed the cut by two to advance to the finals. Trojan alumnus Jeff Ryan, who had advanced to the men's pole vault finals Sunday, no-heighted in the final round.