Ticket Punched: Ben True qualifies for World Championship in 10k
Cumberland native Ben True finished as the US runner-up at 10k at the US Outdoor Track & Field Nationals in Eugene Oregon, his finish qualifies him for the World Championships later this summer in Beijing, China.
With race temperatures in the 90's at race time, True kept himself near the front of the race throughout. He tried to go with the eventual winner Galen Rupp of the Nike Oregon Project but was unable to match the 7 time US Champion & record holders speed over the last 1k of the race. True covered his last 3 laps in 64.42, 59.40 & 61.21 as he chased Rupp. He would cross the finish line safely in second place with a time of 28:14.26.
Earlier this spring True achieved the Wolrd Championship standard of 27:45 with his 27:43 effort at the Payton Jordan Invitational so he has qualified to compete in his first World Championship on the track in Beijing, China. True is also entered in the 5k which is scheduled to take place Sunday morning.
True's splits below (USATF.org)
Interview with Ben True (Via Flotrack)
Earlier in the evening Will Geoghegan who just finished up his collegiate eligibility at Oregon ran in the first section of the 1500m. Geoghegan who recently finished 4th in the 5k at NCAA's showed his strength is at an all-time high as he was able to kick home in a blistering 52.56 as he secured an automatic qualifier via his second place finish. Will's time was 3:48.19, with his 800m run at 1:53.24 pace.
He will advance to Saturday's final where he will be joined by 5 other former or current Oregon Duck runners.
Interview with Geoghegan (Via Flotrack)
In the shot put Becky O'Brien of Cumberland had a best throw of 58-0 1/4 which placed her 9th overall as she just missed making the final by one spot.
In the US Junior Championships being held concurrently with the US Senior Championships, former Ellsworth standout and current Iowa State Cyclone Dan Curts ran is section 1 and earned one of the four automatic qualifying spots for the final. The freshman ran 3:55.07 to place 4th, he covered the last 400m in 57.46.
Curts is scheduled to run the 5k final tomorrow morning, and the 1500m final is on Saturday.
