Photos: Chasing Fast Times on the Track in Oregon

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Photos: Chasing Fast Times on the Track in Oregon

The Stumptown Twilight Track Meet on June 23 in Gresham, Ore., provided the opportunity for top-tier and up-and-coming American runners a last chance to qualify for the July 1-10 U.S. Olympic Trials. Despite a light rain, the racing was fierce and emotions ran high. Here’s an inside look at how the meet played out in all of its competitive glory.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

For some athletes (including those in the men's 5,000-meter run), it was a chance to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials for the first time or improve their Olympic Trials seeding times, while for others it was just a another chance to let it rip and stoke their competitive fires.

Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

In some cases, the big-name stars won their events, including Matthew Centrowitz running away from the field in the men's 1,500 in 3:37.81. Centrowitz was the only one to reach the Olympic Trials qualifying time, but he entered the meet having already achieved it.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

But in some cases, the top dogs didn't win. Here Nike OTC runners Galen Rupp and Eric Jenkins chase Justyn Knight, an up-and-coming sophomore at Syracuse, in the men's 5,000.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

Knight wound up being the surprise winner in the 5,000 in 13:26.36, outkicking Woody Kincaid (13:27.32) and Galen Rupp (13:27.34) for the victory. Knight set a new PR of 13:26.36 and solidified his spot in the Olympic Trials.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

The emotion of winning the fast heat of the 800 shows on Chris Low's face, even though his time (1:47.14) was well off the Olympic Trials qualifying standard.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

Megan Patrignelli takes the water pit on way to winning womens 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9:43.37, which put her under the Olympic Trials and Olympic qualifying standards.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

The women's 3,000-meter steeplechase was one of the many events that took place amid a steady rain.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

Erin Teschuk navigates the water pit on the way to a runner-up finish (9:48.65) in the women's steeplechase under the Olympic Trials qualifying standard.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

Tabor Stevens won the men's steeplechase in 8:37.42.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

Tabor Stevens won the men's steeplechase in 8:37.42, but not fast enough to break the Olympic Trials standard.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

Coming down the hometretch of the second heat of the men's 800, Grant Grosvenor trips and starts to fall ...

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

and as Grosvenor takes a tumble, James Eichberger (far right) surges for the win in 1:48.48.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

Tori Tsolis (left) won the second heat of the women's 1,500 in 4:16.82 amid a steady rainfall.

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Stumptown Twilight Track Meet

Under the glow of stadium lights on a wet and rainy night, Oregon Project teammates Eric Jenkins and Galen Rupp cool down together after their 5,000 meter race. They'll be among the favorites in that event in the U.S. Olympic Trials in early July.

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