3:07 PM Sat, Jun 28, 2008 | Permalink |
Diana Pickler's Post Race Comments
I was pretty overwhelmed after javelin because it has not been my forte to race the 800 to beat someone out. I knew I was capable of it. My coach knew I was capable of it. He was really calm. He was like, 'I know you can do it'. It took me a little bit to convince myself but I just stuck on her like glue and knew I could as the race went on.
She put it on at 300 to go. I knew I couldn't let her break away for a second or she would be gone. I just attempted to go with her every time she moved.
5:45pm Update
Diana Pickler is going to the Olympics! The Cougar assistant coach grabbed the third and final spot in heptathlon by a mere 10 points over Virgina Johnson. Pickler was matched against Johnson in the final heat of the 800. Johnson won the heat with Pickler second by .7 seconds. That was just enough to hold onto third place and make the Olympic team.
1. 6,667 Hyleas Fountain
2. 6,347 Jacqueline Johnson
3. 6,257 Diana Pickler
4. 6,247 Virginia Johnson
Diana's twin sister Julie also competed in the trials, but did not run the final event.
5:00pm Update
Diana Pickler's long jump score has been adjusted and she is now in third place overall, 20 points ahead of Virginia Johnson for the third and final spot on the Olympic roster. The initial results posted had her longest jump as 20' 2.5" for 899 points. That's been adjusted to 20' 5.75" for 924 points. So, Pickler leads Johnson by 20 points heading into the 800 meter final event.
4:30pm Update
Heptathlon:
For Diana Pickler, it's going to come down to the 800 meter finale an hour from now. The former WSU student and current assistant coach took fifth in the javelin with a throw of 139' 1", just behind Virginia Johnson's 139' 4". Pickler now trails Johnson by a mere five points for the third and final spot on the Olympic heptathlon roster. Hyleas Fountain had the best javelin throw and Jacqueline Johnson finished second. Both of those women appear to be on their way to Beijing. Pickler has to beat Virginia Johnson to join them in China.
3pm Update
Heptathlon:
Long jump, the first event of the day, is in the books and Diana Pickler has slipped from second to fourth place overall. It takes a top three finish to make the Olympic team. The Wazzou grad had the fourth best jump of the day - 20' 2.5" - but the two women right behind her in the overnight standings both jumped more than 21 feet.
With two events to go - the javelin and 800 meters - it looks to be a very close race between three women for the last two spots on the Olympic team. Hyleas Fountain won the long jump, her fourth win in five events, and has the top spot well in hand. Pickler is just three point away from third and 59 points from second.
1. 5,121 Hyleas Fountain
2. 4,708 Jacqueline Johnson
3. 4,652 Virginia Johnson
4. 4,649 Diana Pickler
11. 4,199 Julie Pickler
The javelin is about to get started and the 800 meter finale is scheduled at 5:25 pm.
The men's 100 meter heats are underway now. The women's 100 meter final is later tonight.
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