AVILA WINS FIRST-ROUND 1,500 HEAT AT U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS, MOVES ON TO SEMIS
EUGENE – Former Southern Oregon University star Eric Avila more than held his own Thursday evening at the U.S. Olympic Trials, winning his heat of the 1,500 meters to advance along with 23 others to Friday's semifinal round.
Avila, representing Team Run Eugene and Hoka One One, topped the third of three 10-person heats in 3 minutes 42.27 seconds in front of a capacity crowd at Hayward Field. He was running alongside Leonel Manzano and Matthew Centrowitz, who placed second and fourth respectively at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and two-time Olympian Andrew Wheating, all of whom advanced.
Avila – an NAIA champion in cross country, the outdoor 1,500 meters and the indoor distance medley relay during his senior season at SOU in 2013-14 – had the third-fastest qualifying time overall, and Manzano's time of 3:42.28 was second-best in the heat and fourth overall.
The top six in each heat and the next six fastest times overall advanced to Friday's semifinals, which will feature two heats of 12 starting at 4:15 p.m.
Twelve runners will advance to Sunday's final: the top four in each heat and the next four fastest times.