Welcome back to KFH Guide to Eugene, your place for all things U.S. Olympic Trials. Yesterday was the first day of competition and most events were in their first rounds. However, there was one event that solidified its team for Paris, and that was the Men’s 10K. I will get to that event a little bit later, so without further ado, let’s get into Day Two. 

The Schedule of Day Two

ROTD=Race of the day

All times in PDT

Decathlon: Heats of Men’s 110m Hurdles at 10:00 am (12:00 pm CDT)

Decathlon: Men’s Discus Throw at 11:08 am (1:08 pm CDT)

Decathlon: Men’s Pole Vault at 1:17 pm (3:17 pm CDT)

Qualifying: Men’s Long Jump at 4:45 pm (6:45 pm CDT)

Qualifying: Women’s High Jump at 5:00 pm (7:00 pm CDT)

Decathlon: Men’s Javelin Throw at 5:15 pm (7:15 pm CDT)

Semifinals: Women’s 100m at 6:00 pm (8:00 pm CDT)

Final: Women’s Triple Jump at 6:20 pm (8:20 pm CDT)

Round One: Men’s 100m at 6:22 pm (8:22 pm CDT)

Finals: Men’s Shot Put at 6:40 pm (8:40 pm CDT)

Semifinals: Men’s 1500m at 6:54 pm (8:54 pm CDT)

Semifinals: Women’s 400m at 7:14 pm (9:14 pm CDT)

Decathlon/Finals: Men’s 1500m at 7:38 pm (9:38 pm CDT)

ROTD (Race of The Day)/Final: Women’s 100m at 7:50 pm (9:50 pm CDT)

Big News in Eugene

Former Olympic Champion Matthew Centrowitz scratches 1500m

Yesterday morning it was announced that Matthew Centrowitz, the 2016 Olympic Champion in the 1500m would scratch and not participate in the 1500m Prelims. This is due to Centrowitz getting sick, taking a week off, and then straining his hamstring. Centrowitz felt he wasn’t fit enough to run in the trials, and was never able to get back up to running race pace. This would have been Centrowitz’s fourth Olympic Trials. From his first trials to possibly his last, the 34 year old has had a large impact on America middle distance running, by running some of the fastest times in America ever, and winning five national titles. But his career is not over yet, even though he said this would have been his last trials, in the last line of his instagram post, he said “It’s not goodbye, It’s see ya later…..” If it is his last, Matthew Centrowitz or Centro, will be missed by his competitors. He won’t be gone though, because he is always supporting others, and still will be in Eugene for the competition. 

Nico Young qualifies for his first Olympics, Fisher wins National Title

Even though he didn’t win the race, the NCAA standout, Nico Young was able to qualify for his first Olympics in the 10k yesterday. Young finished in third behind Woody Kincaid in second, and then Grant Fisher won the event in a time of 27:49. This race was incredible to watch, as it was a very tactical race from the get go, led by the Olympic qualifier in the marathon Conner Mantz. Through the first couple of kilometers, there were lot’s of men that were only a few seconds off of the lead, and could push for the win towards the end. However, as time went on, there was a pack of six that separated itself from the main pack, and started to speed up and run away with it. That group of six would run together up until 1200 meters to go, when Grant Fisher ran away with it, Fisher ran 3:01 in his last three laps to win his national title. But Kincaid didn’t go down without a fight, he closed in a 55.7 last lap to try and close the gap, but unfortunately it was too late for him. 

Race of The Day

The race of the day for today, is the women’s 100m dash. I picked this as the race of the day because the U.S. women’s 100m right now is REALLY good, and this final is for sure a race you need to watch. The top three qualifiers coming into this race are McKenzie Long who qualified in a time of 10.94. Long is coming off of an NCAA career at Ole Miss where she just won the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay at the NCAA Championships. The second fastest qualifier was Melissa Jefferson of Nike, who ran 10.91 to win her heat. The fastest qualifier was an athlete that I have talked about immensely, and will talk about even more later, Sha’Carri Richardson. Richardson, stumbled in the opening stages of the race, that didn’t stop her though, she won the last heat in a time of 10.88, which is a world lead. All three athletes, and all of the other qualifiers are what makes this the race of the day.

Athlete Spotlight

Ryan Crouser

Ryan Crouser is the best Shot-Putter of all time and for that reason you need to watch him today in the Men’s Shot Put final. Coming into this final, Crouser is sitting as the third best qualifier, with his best qualifying throw being 21.44 meters. Crouser will have to beat another multi-time Olympian, Joe Kovacs, who leads the field with a best throw of 22.13 meters. Crouser holds the world record in the event with a best mark of 23.56. The 31 year old has won the Olympics twice, because of that and him being the best ever is why you need to watch him today. 

Sha’Carri Richardson

Sha’Carri Richardson is the best U.S. sprinter right now, and you need to watch her today. Coming into her semifinal performance, Richardson was the fastest qualifier with a time of 10.88. The crazy thing about that is that she even stumbled in the opening stages of the race. Richardson showed her experience and composure because after her stumble she stayed upright, and 100% relaxed, which showed when she easily came back to win her heat in 10.88. As I said she will have to compete in the semifinals, prior to the finals and both rounds will be races you need to watch. I’m excited to see if Richardson can qualify for her first Olympics and win a national title while she's at it. 

How to watch

TV: NBC: 6:00-8:00 pm PDT (8:00-10:00 pm CDT)

Streaming: Peacock