OTC Elite advances all six athletes at Trials

Chanelle Price runs the fastest first-round time in Olympic Trials history, clocking 1:59.86 on Thursday. Photo by Jay Bendlin/TrackTown USA

By Curtis Anderson | June 25, 2021

EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon Track Club Elite made its long-awaited debut at the new Hayward Field on Thursday during qualifying rounds of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials.

Six athletes wore the OTC Elite singlet, and all six advanced to the next round of their respective events.

In the women's 800 meters, Chanelle Price won the first of five heats with a wire-to-wire performance in 1:59.86, the fastest qualifying time among the 42 entrants.

Sabrina Southerland used a strong closing kick to win the third heat in 2:00.85, while Hanna Green ran under control to place second in the second heat at 2:00.79.

All three compete in today's semifinals at 3:02 p.m.

In the men's 1,500m, Vince Ciattei turned in a solid fourth-place performance of 3:45.77 in the first of three heats to secure his spot in the semifinals. Ben Blankenship advanced on time after placing ninth in the third heat at 3:42.46. It was Blankenship's first race of the season.

They will both be back in action in today's semifinals at 4:05 p.m.

In the men's 5,000m, Hassan Mead stayed with the lead pack for the duration of the race and made a strong move over the final lap to finish third at 13:36.80 in the second heat. He advances to Sunday's final at 10 a.m.

Elsewhere, OTC Elite's Jake Heyward will compete in the semifinals of the 1,500m today at the Muller British Athletics Championships in Manchester, England.

The 22-year-old Heyward set his personal best of 3:33.99 at the Portland Track Festival on May 29. He has the fourth-fastest time among British milers this year going into the Olympic qualifying meet.

Three OTC Elite athletes have already earned a spot in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics: Sally Kipyego will represent Team USA in the marathon; Nijel Amos will compete in the 800m for Botswana; and Patrick Tiernan will line up for Australia in the 10,000m.