EUGENE — The Hayward Field crowd was caught up in some intense finishes during the women's 800-meter semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday.
In a fast and thrilling first heat, U.S. record holder Asing Mu and veteran Kate Grace overtook leader Michaela Rose at the finish line, but in the process, Grace fell over the rail and into the infield.
Mu, who came in strong from the outside, won her heat in 1:58.84. Grace, who was close on the inside, took second in 1:58.97. Rose, who led until the final few strides, took third in 1:59.00.
Mew and Grace automatically advanced to Monday's final, while Rose advanced as a time qualifier.
In the second heat, former Oregon Ducks standout Rayvin Rogers looked to be in fourth place or worse as he rounded the final corner and entered the home straight. But with the crowd cheering, Rogers made a wide turn and passed everyone in front of him in a dramatic surge in front of the west stands.
Rogers won the qualifying round in 2:01.08 and automatically advanced to the finals. Sage Herta-Klecker was second. Four-time outdoor USATF champion Azie Wilson came in third and did not advance as a time qualifier.
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Mu, the favourite to win, had to work hard to qualify, as did 35-year-old Grace, who is returning from a two-year absence due to pregnancy and a long-term COVID-19 illness.
Grace, the 2016 Olympic 800m trials gold medallist, showed abrasions to her left arm and hip but said she was not seriously injured after making a bold move to the inside to pass Rose.
“She was running wide so I thought I had a lane,” Grace said. “I think everybody was kind of in a daze when they crossed the line. I don't think there was any big foul play or anything. I think we were all just going for the line.”
Rose said she didn't think anything bad happened — she just couldn't hold off Mew and Grace — and said she knew it was going to be a close race going into the final stretch when she heard the crowd roar.
She remembered the ovation Mu received at the starting line.
“She's a crowd favorite,” Rose says, “and when I heard the crowd screaming, I knew they were coming.”
If anything, the cheers were louder for Rogers as she made the final turn. She won three individual NCAA outdoor titles as a Duck, and fans haven't forgotten that.
“I saw Sage,” Rodgers said. “I saw Olivia[Baker]. I was like, 'Let's swing wide and take a chance.' I'll do whatever I have to do. I'll just fight.”
“I heard the crowd. I feel blessed that my run ended the way it did. … It's like I'm watching with them. When the crowd gets excited, I get excited too. I'm like, 'Keep calm and finish the race.'”
Olympic Athletics Selection
She did, and now the final day on Monday awaits.
“We're ready,” Rogers said.
Allie Wilson won her third and final semifinal in 2:00.29, while reigning U.S. champion Nia Akins also qualified automatically in the final heat.
Below are the U.S. Olympic qualifying results:
— Ken Goh, The Oregonian/OregonLive
