W&M Grads Compete at Olympic Trials

Lane Finishes Fourth in 5,000m

SACRAMENTO, CA - William and Mary track and field, 2004 CAA Champion on both the men's and women's side, had three of its former standouts compete this evening at the U. S. Olympic Team Trials held in Sacramento, CA.

In the 5,000m, 11-time All-American Matt Lane (Yarmouth, ME), the most decorated runner in Tribe history (1996-2001), raced to fourth in a frustrating repeat of his finish at the 2000 Trials. Lane swapped the lead early in the race and was leading at the six-minute mark, but over the final two laps the top-three broke away to leave him in fourth. Lane made a late charge, clocking a 13:33.51, less than a second behind the third-place finisher, but it was not enough. All-American Sean Graham (Stillwater, MN) (1998-2003) also contested the 5,000m and was also among the early leaders before finishing 11th at the clip of 13:46.79.

The top three finishers form Trials who have achieved an "A" Olympic qualifying standard (13:21.50) are selected to the U. S. roster. Despite only one athlete (runner up Jonathon Riley) having met the "A" standard, Lane and Graham do not have the opportunity to chase an "A" time in the upcoming weeks, because USATF only allows the top finishers necessary to complete the allotted three spaces who have broken the "B" Olympic standard of 13:25.40 to chase the "A" standard. Neither Lane nor Graham have broken the "B" standard and cannot race their way onto the Olympic team.

Also racing Friday night was former women's track and field star and current men's volunteer assistant coach Kathy Newberry (Williamsburg, VA) who clocked a 34:05.63 for 14th in the 10,000m. Newberry had previously raced in the 5,000m finals at Trials, where she placed 13th.