Fast Field Raises Brannen to Olympic Qualifying Time
7/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
ROME, Italy -- University of Michigan men's track and field volunteer coach Nate Brannen earned a spot on the 2008 Canadian Olympic team by collecting the Olympic qualifying "A" standard in the 1,500-meter run Friday (July 11) at the Golden Gala. The former Wolverine standout ran a personal-best 3:34.65 to better the "A" standard (3:36.60) by nearly two seconds and finish 12th at the premier international track event, held at Rome's Olympic Stadium.
After claiming runner-up honors in the 1,500m last Sunday (July 6) at the Canadian Olympic Trials, Brannen received a two-week extension to hit the "A" standard. The Golden Gala marked his eighth attempt at hitting the necessary time in just a seven-week period and his first outside of North America, and he shaved 0.23 seconds from his personal best to net his final qualifying requirement.
Starting from the inside lane, Brannen immediately settled at the rear of the 17-man field when the competition converged at the 100-meter mark. Kenya's Vickson Naran Polonet and Phileman Kipkorir Kimutai, the race's designated rabbits, set a quick and consistent opening pace, clocking 54.41 through the first lap and 1:52.43 through 800 meters. Brannen stayed off the early pace, remaining at the back of the pack in the third-to-last position through the first two laps.
"Going into the race, I knew I was going to put myself in the back, work my way through and just race relaxed," said Brannen, who missed the entire 2007 outdoor season with an injury. "I was a little slower than I wanted through the first quarter, but I picked it up, ran 1:56 through 800 and started to move around 600 meters."
When the bell sounded for the final lap, Brannen held the 13th spot, approximately 50 meters behind the leaders. As the lead group of four runners pulled away from the chase pack down the backstretch, Brannen remained on the heels of the second group through the final bend and used his kick to pick up another spot in the last 100 meters. He nearly caught a couple more at the line, finishing just 0.35 seconds out of 10th place.
"I closed with a 56-second last lap and tried to pick off a few guys in the backstretch," said Brannen. "I think it was the best and most relaxed I have ever felt in a race. I was a little worried, because I was only two days off a plane and had spent most of that time sleeping in my hotel room. But I knew I could make it given the right race and the right opportunity. This was the perfect opportunity."
Brannen is the third former U-M men's track and field athlete to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in the 1,500m, joining fellow Canadian Kevin Sullivan (1994-98), who will be making his third trip to the Olympics, and training partner and former Wolverine teammate Nick Willis (2003-05), who will represent New Zealand at the Olympics for the second time.
Former Wolverine NCAA champion Jeff Porter (2004-07) also competed at the Golden Gala, claiming eighth place in the 110-meter hurdles. Positioned in the outside lane, Porter held with the international field until the final 20 meters, crossing the line with a time of 13.73.
U-M Results
1,500-meter Run 1. Asbel Kiprop, Kenya 3:31.64 2. Abdalaati Iguider, Morocco 3:31.88 3. Tarek Boukensa, Algeria 3:31.98 4. Mehdi Baala, France 3:32.00 5. Mohamed Moustaoui, Morocco 3:32.06 6. Juan Carlos Higuero, Spain 3:32.57 7. Arturo Casado, Spain 3:33.14 8. Kamal Boulahfane, Algeria 3:33.33 9. Shedrack Kibet Korir, Kenya 3:34.11 10. Daniel Kipchirchir Komen, Kenya 3:34.30 11. Deresse Mekonnen, Ethiopia 3:34.59 12. NATE BRANNEN, CANADA 3:34.65 13. Jeffrey Riseley, Australia 3:36.03 14. Alex Kipchirchir, Kenya 3:39.26 15. Christian Obrist, Italy 3:41.25 -- Philemon Kipkorir Kimutai, Kenya DNF -- Vickson Naran Polonet, Kenya DNF 110-meter Hurdles 1. Dayron Robles, Cuba 13.08 2. Sergiy Demidyuk, Ukraine 13.40 3. David Payne, USA 13.43 4. Marcel van der Westen, Netherlands 13.50 5. Ladji Doucour, France 13.51 6. Anwar Moore, USA 13.60 7. Tyrone Akins, USA 13.70 8. JEFF PORTER, USA 13.73 9. Dominic Berger, USA 14.05
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Contact: Joe Arancio (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
