June 25, 2012
EUGENE, Ore. - Another day of action is in the books at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials as several former Arizona State University student-athletes advanced the their respective events on Monday evening in Eugene, Ore.
Alumnus Lisa Aguilera got things rolling at Hayward Field by advancing to the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Aguilera, the school record holder in the event, clocked a time of 9:51.02 to finish 11th overall in the prelim round of the event. Aguilera, an eight-time All-American as a Sun Devil, advanced to Friday's final as the fastest of the four time qualifiers out of the opening rounds.
In the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, alumnus Kyle Alcorn took third in the fast heat in a time of 8:29.27 to easily advance to Thursday's final in the event. Alcorn was a two-time NCAA Champion - once in the indoor 3,000-meter run and once in the outdoor steeplechase - and is one of the prime contenders for a spot on this year's London roster having already hit the `A' Standard this season.
Alcorn still trains with ASU track and field assistant coach and head men's cross country coach Louie Quintana.
Rounding out the evening was former Sun Devil All-American Brandon Bethke in the 5,000-meter run. Bethke clocked the sixth-fastest time of the opening round in 13:45.21 to also easily advance to Thursday's final in the event. While a Sun Devil, Bethke posted the top finish in ASU history at the NCAA Cross Country Championships after taking seventh in 2009 and was a two-time All-American on the track.
The Trials will now break for three days before resuming again on Thursday, June 25. There are still a couple Sun Devils left to compete in the event and, as always, you can track their progress by staying tuned in to www.TheSunDevils.com.