Gensic, Lomong and Garcia Advance at Olympic Trials
6/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
June 27, 2008
EUGENE, Ore. - Former Air Force standout Paul Gensic advanced to the finals of the pole vault competition at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., on Friday, June 27. Clearing a height of 18'0½", Gensic was one of 13 athletes to advance to Sunday's finals. Gensic advanced his first attempt at both clearances to tie for second.
Gensic matched the preliminary heights of two regaining Olympic medalists in Tim Mack and Toby Stevenson.
Volunteer cross country coach Lopez Lomong won the qualifying round of competition in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:46.93. After winning the first of three heats, Lomong automatically qualified for the semifinal round by besting the 30-runner field by over second (second place time was 1:47.85).
In addition, Army WCAP participant Nate Garcia, who trains at the Academy with volunteer coach Bob Graf, qualified for the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles. Garcia finished 12th with a time of 50.35.
Lopez and Garcia return to action tomorrow (June 28) in the semifinal heats of 800-meter run (4:40 p.m.) and 400-meter hurdles (3:55 p.m.), while Gensic competes in the pole vault finals on Sunday, June 29, at 2:40 p.m. Dana Pounds also competes tomorrow in the qualifying round of the javelin throw at 12:45 p.m. Please note, all times are Pacific.
