Despite the rainy weather that threatened the runners at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., a trio of Hoyas — one current and two former — made it through the fourth day of the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials for track and field.
Graduate student Emily Infeld joined Elizabeth Maloy, who graduated from Georgetown in 2008, and Andrew Bumbalough, who graduated in 2010, in the 10-day qualifying campaign.
Infeld, an 11-time All-American, was the top collegiate runner in the 5000-meter run with a time of 15:43.41. Infeld made her move from the middle of the pack to the top 10 runners with about 1600m left in the race, ultimately finishing in fourth place overall.
Her time was good enough to put her into the final stage of trials.
“I really just wanted to qualify,” Infeld said in a statement. “I wasn’t sure where anyone was around me, so I was just trying to be right up there with the leaders when they went, or as close to them as I could be. And then, ultimately, just try to be in the top six.”
Maloy, now a professional runner for New Balance, is competing in her first Olympic trials. She also competed in the 5000m run, although in a different heat from Infeld, and took the top spot in her heat with a time of 15:46.00.
“I woke up nervous, and the feeling didn’t really go away until the gun went off,” Maloy said in a statement. “It was nice to get a race in, and I can come back Thursday and feel confident.”
After the two women finished their event, Bumbalough took his turn at the 5000m run. Bumbalough started and finished the race strong, and although he fell back during the middle of the race, he managed to take the top spot in his heat with a time of 13:46.80.
“I’m here to maximize my potential and get the highest place possible,” Bumbalough said in a statement. “Obviously, my number-one goal is to book my trip to London [the site of August’s Olympic Games]. … I know what I’m capable of. I’m going to run my race and see what that gets me.”
The three Hoya graduates return to action for the final stages of competition Thursday.
