Men's Steeplechase Results
On a night of only 2 finals, the steeplechase sent Trials fans home happy. Perhaps it was memories of the thrilling '92 steeple, but the crowd was anticipating a great battle for the win between Pascal Dobert and Mark Croghan as well as a hair-raiser of a race for third.
Leaving nothing to chance, Croghan went right to the front with Dobert right on his heels. The first lap was a quick 63.1, with the pack already slightly strung out.
The duo started to open up some daylight already at the completion of two laps, the second circuit completed in 66.0, with 3m back to Robert Gary.
Croghan continued to churn out an honest pace, running the third lap in 65.9, followed always by Dobert, with Gary, Tom Chorny, Tony Cosey and Tim "Timmy" Broe strung out 5m behind the leading pair.
The pace slowed slightly, the 4th lap run in 66.8 by the two favorites, but the gap back to the peleton had increased to 10m.
The fifth lap is where tired legs begin to not find the barriers easy, but Croghan still led Dobert through a 66.6, the duo now 25m up on an everchanging pack. Fans were not sure which battle to watch, the thrilling duel at the front, or the race for third. Nohilly showed briefly, perhaps looking to exorcise the fourth place demons from New Orleans and Atlanta, but he was never a factor late in the race.
Dobert continued to sit on Croghan, as they slowed slightly to a 67.0 for the sixth lap. The pack, now 30m behind, was led by Broe, Clint Wells, Cosey and Anthony Famiglietti.
Coming up on one lap to go, Dobert accelerated into the lead, but Croghan immediately responded. Cosey led the chase pack, with Broe and Wells close. Broe looked a bit heavy as Cosey began to open up some daylight.
Coming to the last water barrier, Croghan accelerated and took the lead coming into the homestretch. But Dobert proved to be the stronger finisher, sprinting by off the last barrier, giving the "Number 1" sign and finishing in a PR 8:15.77, improving his position as 5th on the all-time U.S. list.
Croghan finished in 8:18.20.
In the race for 3rd, Wells and Broe challenged Cosoff and gained a 5m edge off the last barrier. But Broe, who has good speed, sprinted hard off the last hurdle and made got the crowd roaring. He got within 2m, but Cosey prevailed, both PRing 8:21.41-8:21.50.
On his victory lap, Cosey was awarded the prestigious Monkey by the gregarious Reebok Aggies.
The weather was cool, but the three Olympians all took a bath in the water pit.
/Dan Lilot/Results
1. Pascal Dobert (Nik) 8:15.77 (AL) (5, x A) (64.0); 2. Mark Croghan (adi) 8:16.20; 3. Tony Cosey (adi) 8:21.41 PR; 4. Tim Broe (adi) 8:21.50 PR; 5. Clint Wells (NASC) 8:23.26 PR; 6. Tom Nohilly (Reeb) 8:25.09; 7. Anthony Famiglietti (Tn) 8:25.37 PR; 8. Robert Gary (adi) 8:25.87; 9. Chuck Sloan (OkSt) 8:26.66 PR; 10. Thomas Chorny (Nik) 8:31.53; 11. Greg Jimmerson (unat) 8:34.11; 12. Dave Cullum (unat) 8:42.50; 13. Billy Herman (unat) 8:50.98;… dnf-Darin Shearer (ReebBo).
Heat 3: In a tight heat Robert Gary kicked to win in 8:26.22. He was followed closely by Anthony Famiglietti in 8:26.67 and Tom Chorny in 8:27.67. Tony Cosey (8:28.94) and Dave Cullum (8:33.34) qualified for the final on time. The other time qualifiers were Darin Shearer (8:28.98), Chuck Sloan (8:28.75), and Greg Jimmerson (8:32.46). Famiglietti picks up and import Olympic "A" qualifier.
Heat 2: Pascal Dobert to a cue from his rival Croghan and made it an honest heat, also building a 30 meter lead by halfway and running his best time of the year 8:24.89. Billy Herman notched an important "A" qualifier of 8:26.02. he was followed by Clint Wells in 8:27.04 and Chuck Sloan in 8:28.75.
Heat 1: Mark Croghan took the first heat by the horns building a gap of 30 meters after 4 laps. He then cruised to an easy win in 8:26.75. The other two automatic qualifiers for the final are Tim Nohilly and Tim Broe.
Results
Heats: I-1. Mark Croghan (adi) 8:26.75; 2. Tom Nohilly (Reeb) 8:27.75; 3. Tim Broe (adi) 8:28.05 PR; 4. Darin Shearer (ReebBo) 8:28.98; 5. Sandu Rebenciuc (USAr) 8:35.02; 6. Chris Dugan (NCSt) 8:37.69; 7. Brady Bonsall (adi) 8:41.53; 8. Richard Lee (Asics) 8:47.36; 9. Sam Wilbur (USAr) 8:57.28; 10. Jeremy Tolman (unat) 8:57.55; 11. Jay Brock (unat) 9:03.04; 12. Derek Kite (unat) 9:05.71; 13. Scott Strand (NBal) 9:15.27.
II-1. Pascal Dobert (Nik) 8:24.89; 2. Billy Herman (unat) 8:26.02 PR (meets Olympic "A" Standard); 3. Clint Wells (NASC) 8:27.04 PR; 4. Chuck Sloan (OkSt) 8:28.75 PR; 5. Greg Jimmerson (unat) 8:32.46 PR; 6. Steve Slattery (Co) 8:37.74; 7. Francis O'Neill (Asics) 8:39.99; 8. Fred Carter (unat) 8:42.25; 9. Ray Hughes (Nik) 8:43.41; 10. Sam Barall (unat) 8:51.72; 11. Casey O'Shea (adi) 9:21.31;… dnf-Jonathan Russell (NBal).
III-1. Robert Gary (adi) 8:26.22; 2. Anthony Famiglietti (Tn) 8:26.67 PR (meets Olympic "A" Standard); 3. Thomas Chorny (Nik) 8:27.67 PR; 4. Tony Cosey (adi) 8:28.94; 5. Dave Cullum (unat) 8:33.34 PR; 6. Ian Connor (OhSt) 8:35.09; 7. David Wittman (HH) 8:38.46; 8. Jacques Sallburg (unat) 8:39.03; 9. Rick Mestler (Asics) 8:39.74; 10. Ryan Pirtle (Mo) 8:43.95; 11. Jared Cordes (Wi) 8:53.04.