Former Washington State Stars to Compete at Olympic Trials

Six former Washington State track stars are set to compete at the USA Track & Field Olympic Trials beginning this week in Eugene, Ore.
On the track, two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat will run the 5000m, defending US Outdoor champion Jeshua Anderson will run the 400m hurdles, Joe Abbott will run the 800m, and Collier Lawrence will run the women's 3000m steeplechase. Field athletes include two-time Olympian discus thrower Ian Waltz and women's triple jumper Blessing Ufodiama.
USA Track & Field ("USATF") may enter up to three athletes for each individual event on the London Olympic athletics (track and field) program, provided they have achieved the Olympic "A" standard. In addition USA Track & Field may enter one replacement athlete for the same individual event provided he/she has also achieved the Olympic "A" standard.
Television coverage of the 2012 Track & Field Olympic Trials can be viewed in primetime between NBC and the NBC Sports Network, providing 12 hours of live coverage over the course of eight days.
KHQ/SWX is sending a crew to Eugene to cover the trials. Look for coverage on TV and online every day beginning Monday.
 
 
Track & Field US Olympic Team Trials Television Schedule
All Broadcasts LIVE
Fri., June 22, 6-8 p.m. PT NBCSN
Sat., June 23, 8-9 p.m. ET/PT NBC
Sun., June 24, 7-8 p.m. ET/PT NBC
Mon., June 25, 6-8 p.m. PT NBCSN
Thurs., June 28, 6-8 p.m. PT NBCSN
Fri., June 29, 3-5 p.m. PT NBCSN
Sat., June 30, 9-10 p.m. ET/PT NBC
Sun., July 1, 7-8 p.m. ET/PT NBC
 
WSU alums at US Olympic Track & Field Trials (in chronological order of competition):
Joe Abbott (2012 senior, Reno, Nev.) - Men's 800m
1st Round Friday, June 22, 5:20 p.m. PT
Semifinals Saturday, June 23, 4:45 p.m. PT
Final Monday, June 25, 7:47 p.m. PT

All-American - 7th at 2011 NCAA Indoor Championships
Lifetime-best 800m time is 1:46.84 (2011)

 
Blessing Ufodiama (2004 senior, Long Beach, Calif.) - Women's Triple Jump
Qualifying, Saturday, June 23, 3:20 p.m. PT
Final Monday, June 25, 5:45 p.m. PT

Lifetime-best triple jump is 14.06m/46-1 1/2 (2011)
USA ChampionshipsThree-time top ten finisher at USA Outdoors (2009-2011)

 
Ian Waltz (2000 senior, Post Falls, Idaho) - Men's Discus Throw
Qualifying, Monday, June 25, 3:30 p.m. PT
Final Thursday, June 28, 6:05 p.m. PT

USA Championships2008 Olympic Trials champion (65.87m/216-01)
Three-time USA Outdoor champion – 2005 (64.54m/211-9); 2006 (64.52m/211-8); 2008 (65.87m/216-01)2007 USA Outdoor runner-up (63.60m/208-8)2004 Olympic Trials runner-up (64.69m/212-3)
International Championships2006 World Cup bronze medalist
Collegiate ChampionshipsTwo-time Pac-10 discus champion – 1997, 20001997 Pac-10 shot put champion
Awards and HonorsEight-time NCAA Division I All-America

 
Collier Lawrence (2008 senior, Reno, Nev.) - Women's 3000m Steeplechase
Qualifying, Monday, June 25, 4:50 p.m. PT
Final Friday, June 29, 4:45 p.m. PT
Ran PR time of 9:53.79 at Payton Jordan Invite (4/29/12)

Top time while at WSU was 10:25.27 (2008) - third best on all-time WSU list
Currently volunteer track coach at University of Nevada

 
Bernard Lagat (1999 junior, Tucson, Ariz.) - Men's 5000m
Qualifying, Monday, June 25, 7 p.m. PT
Final, Thursday, June 28, 7:38 p.m. PT

USA ChampionshipsFour-time USA Outdoor 5,000m champion – 2006 (13:14.32); 2007 (13:45.87); 2008 (13:27.47); 2010 (13:54.08); 2011 (13:23.06)Two-time USA Indoor 3,000m champion – 2010 (8:12.60); 2011 (7:57.17)Two-time USA Outdoor 1,500m champion - 2006 (3:39.29); 2008 (3:40.37)2011 USA Outdoor 1,500m runner-up (3:47.96)
International Championships2004 Olympic 1,500m silver medalist (3:34.30)2000 Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist (3:32.44)Three-time World Indoor 3,000m gold medalist – 2004 (7:56.34); 2010 (7:37.97); 2012 (7:41.44)2007 World Outdoor 1,500m (3:34.77) and 5,000m (13:45.87) gold medalistTwo-time World Outdoor 5,000m silver medalist – 2009 (13:17.33); 2011 (13:23.64)2009 World Outdoor 1,500m bronze medalist (3:36.30)2001 World Outdoor 1,500m silver medalist (3:31.10)2002 World Cup 1,500m champion (3:31.20)

 
Jeshua Anderson (2011 senior, Woodland Hills, Calif.) - Men's 400m Hurdles
Qualifying, Thursday, June 28, 6 p.m. PT
Semifinals Friday, June 29, 3:35 p.m. PT
Final Sunday, July 1, 4:12 p.m. PT

USA Championships2011 USA Outdoor champion (47.93)
International Championships2008 World Junior champion (48.68)2010 NACAC U-23 champion (49.33)
Collegiate ChampionshipsThree-time NCAA Outdoor champion – 2008 (48.69); 2009 (48.47); 2011 (48.56)Four-time PAC-10 champion – 2008 (49.55); 2009 (48.90); 2010 (48.63); 2011 (48.13)