Mark Menefee Takes Fifth
Photo: (l-r) Mark Menefee, Tim Broe, Bolota Asmerom

SACRAMENTO, CA (July 16, 2004) - Tim Broe successfully defended his 5000 meter title at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Track and Field this evening with a blazing final two laps for a time of 13:27.36. Broe's trip to the Olympic Games in Athens is not certain, however. He must meet the Olympic "B" standard of 13:25.4 in order to claim his place on the Olympic team. His winning time of 13:27.26 leaves him short of the Olympic "A" standard of 13:25.4 He will run in London two weeks from now to go for the standard. August 9 is the deadline for meeting the standard.

Photo, left by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios.

Second place finisher Jonathan Riley already has the Olympic "A" standard of 13.21.5. The only way the U. S. team can send two people is if Broe meets the "A" standard. If Broe runs only the "B" standard, the complex rules are such that Riley will stay home. Third place finisher , Bolota Asmerom, has met neither the "A" standard nor the "B" standard, so there is no way that he can go to Athens.

Mark Menefee of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project took the lead in the later part of the race, finishing in a personal best 13:37.68 for fifth place and improving upon his seventh place in the semifinal qualifying race.