July 1, 2008

EUGENE, Ore. - Illini track and field star Angela Bizzarri advanced through the 5,000m preliminaries on Monday night at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, running the best race of her career to qualify for the event final at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.

Bizzarri timed a personal-best15:45.78 to finish 14th overall and eighth in her heat. The Mason, Ohio native improved upon her performance at the NCAA Championships, where she timed 15:46.08 and was runner-up. Sixteen athletes qualified for the 5,000m final, scheduled for Friday evening at 10:55 p.m. CT. Bizzarri was one of just two athletes with remaining collegiate eligibility to advance to the final, joining Virginia Tech's Tasmin Fanning.

The top three finishers in Friday's 5,000m final make the U.S. Olympic team, provided they have ran the Olympic `A' standard of 15:09.00. Kara Goucher ran the top time in preliminaries (15:32.22).

Illinois representation at the U.S. Olympic Trials continues on Thursday, when Aja Evans competes in the shot put qualifying round. Recently graduated Illini LaNeisha Waller will run the 100m hurdles on Saturday. Live results can be found throughout the Trials at www.eugene08.com.

Illinois Remaining Schedule at U.S. Olympic Trials (All Times Central)

Thursday, July 3
11:20 p.m. Women's Shot Put Qualifying Round (Aja Evans)

Friday, July 4
10:55 p.m. Women's 5,000m Final (Angela Bizzarri)

Saturday, July 5
1 p.m. Women's 100m Hurdles Qualifying Round (LaNeisha Waller)
3:15 p.m. Women's 100m Hurdles Quarterfinal
3:50 p.m. Women's Shot Put Final

Sunday, July 6
5:35 p.m. Women's 100m Hurdles Semifinal
7:40 p.m. Women's 100m Hurdles Final