EUGENE, Ore -- Sanya Richards destroyed a strong field to win the women's 400m, but Jeremy Wariner suffered a shocking defeat to LaShawn Merritt in the men's race at the US Olympic trials in Eugene on Thursdays.

 

Richards clocked 49.88 to win the race over Mary Wineberg 50.85 and Dee Dee Trotter (50.88).

"I feel great. I've been thinking about Beijing all year, but I knew this was going to be the most important step to get there," said Richards

"I tried to contain all the nerves and the anxiety and execute a perfect race and I almost did.

"It was so windy on the backstretch today and I knew that was going to play a factor in the time, but I kept telling myself that time doesn't matter here. It is all about finishing in the top three.

"I went out a little bit slower than I would like to in a major event, but I had to do that because of the wind so my time was good but not great."

In the men's race Merritt (44.00) created a big upset when he beat Jeremy Wariner in the men's race.

 

Merritt got off the corner ahead and held off the finish of Wariner, who looked shocked in defeat.

"This is just another race. I didn't get out the way that I wanted to," Wariner said afterwards.

"LaShawn ran a great race I applaud him today. He was the bigger man."

Wariner clocked 44.20 for second, with David Neville running well in the close to take third place in 44.61.

Willard sets American record

In its first year as an Olympic event, the women's steeplechase enjoyed its finest night ever on American soil.

Collegiate record holder Jenny Barringer of Colorado took the early lead in the race, keeping the pace honest and right on tap toward breaking the American record of 9:28.75, held by Lisa Galaviz. Trailing closely behind Barringer were 2007 NCAA champion Anna Willard and 2007 NCAA runner-up Lindsey Anderson.

With 600m to go, Willard made her move and took the lead over the water barrier. She quickly gapped Barringer and Anderson, and at the bell the winner seemed clear. Willard went on to win in 9:27.59 to break the American record, posting the fastest time ever on U.S. soil in the process. Anderson (9:30.75) overtook Barringer (9:33.11) to round out the Olympic Team.

Reese wins women's Long Jump

For the first time since 1996, the top three finishers in the women's long jump all have exceeded the Olympic A standard, making it the strongest team in years. 2004 Olympic finalist Grace Upshaw held the lead through most of the competition with her personal-best jump of 6.88m/22-7 (+1.8 mps) as jumpers traded the second-through-fourth positions.

On her final jump, two-time NCAA outdoor champ and 2007 World Outdoor finalist Britney Reese let fly with a mark of 6.95m/22-9.75 (+1.4 mps), a personal record, 2008 U.S. leader and #2 mark in the world, to win. Upshaw was second and the surprise long jump find of 2008, Funmi Jimoh, was third with a mark 6.72/22-0.75 (+2.1 mps).

USATF additions