Olympic qualifiers resume as Portland's Rupp aims for 'double'

EUGENE, Ore. - The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track and field resume Thursday afternoon in Eugene after a two day rest break. Tonight, more athletes with Northwest ties step to the starting line than on any other day of the event.

In the men's pole vault, Spokane native and former University of Washington Husky Brad Walker attempts to qualify for his second Olympic team.

The discus final features two throwers with Northwest ties: Ian Waltz graduated from Post Falls, Idaho high school and WSU. Jarred Rome attended high school in Marysville, Washington and competed later for Boise State.

On the track, Portland running prodigy Galen Rupp is a favorite to qualify for a second distance event at the Summer Olympics. He says running both the 10,000 and 5,000 meters is doable in London.

"The 10K is my better event," Rupp says. "That's first before any of the 5K prelims, so it sets up really well. I can give everything I've got in the 10,000 and come back in the 5K and just see how well I do."

But first things first. At the Olympic Trials, a bunch of other local runners will be nipping at Rupp's heels. They include former WSU Cougar Bernard Lagat, Klamath Falls High School product Ian Dobson and Oregon Track Club recruit Lopez Lomong.

On the Web:

Galen Rupp profile:

http://www.usatf.org/Athlete-Bios/Galen-Rupp.aspx

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