Eugene, OR—UC Riverside three-time All-American Brenda Martinez '10 was in second place at the 600m mark of the 800m final Monday at the U.S. Olympic Trials trailing Ajee Williams by .02 seconds (1:27.98 to 1:28.00). With one of the best final kicks in the business, a top three finish and a spot on the US Olympic Team seemed all but certain.

However six-time national champion Alysia Montaño, who was in fourth place at the three-quarter mark, got tangled up with Martinez with 150m to go, causing the former Highlander to fall out of contention, and sending Montaño sprawling to the ground (story and video).

Although Martinez recovered fairly quickly, the field past her, and she finished in seventh place with a time of 2:06.63. Montano eventually crossed the finish line in 3:06.77. Kate Grace (1:59.10), Wilson (1:59.51) and Chrishuna Williams (1:59.59) took first, second and third.

Martinez still has a chance to make the Olympic Team in the 1,500m.  Her First Round 1,500m race is July 7 at 6:26 pm, with the semifinals scheduled for July 8 at 5:03, and the Finals slated for July 10 at 5 pm.

Breana Jemison '17 heads to Eugene Tuesday in an effort to make the U.S. Olympic Team in the Shot Put. The Qualifying Round is slated for July 7 at 11 am, with the Finals scheduled for 6:15 pm that same day. Jemison earned All-America honors in the Indoor Shot Put earlier this year.

Another former member of the Highlanders, two-time All-American long jumper Ted Hooper '14, is looking to make the Olympics for the Taiwanese National Team. Taiwan does not have an Olympic Trails, so all Hooper must do to make the team is reach the Olympic qualifying mark in any meet over the next few weeks.