Former Washington State Stars to Compete at Olympic Trials - SWX Right Now-Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA

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 Championships
  Three-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 Championships
  2008 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 Championships
  2006 World Cup bronze medalist
• Collegiate Championships
  Two-time Pac-10 discus champion – 1997, 2000
  1997 Pac-10 shot put champion
• Awards and Honors
  Eight-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 Championships
  Four-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 Championships
  2004 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 medalist
  Two-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 Championships
  2011 USA Outdoor champion (47.93)
• International Championships
  2008 World Junior champion (48.68)
  2010 NACAC U-23 champion (49.33)
• Collegiate Championships
  Three-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)