2 ex-BYU athletes advance at trials

EUGENE, Ore. — Of the three former BYU track athletes competing in Friday's opening day of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Tream Trials, two advanced in preliminary competition to keep their Beijing Games hopes alive.

Josh Rohatinsky, who also starred at Provo High, posted the sixth-fastest time — 13 minutes, 56.94 seconds — in the men's 5,000 meters semifinals Friday night to qualify for Monday's 5K finals, with the top three finishers in all final events earning an Olympic Team berth.

Rohatinsky is also qualified for next week's 10,000 meters finals. He also placed ninth at last November's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

Jennifer Grossarth advanced to today's semifinals in the women's 400-meter hurdles, finishing third with a time of 58.81 seconds in the second of four quarterfinal heats. The top three finishers in each heat advanced, along with the four next-fastest times.

Carlee Clark-Platt, an NCAA All-American this spring for the Cougars ran a 2:05.99 in the Friday evening women's 800 meters quarterfinals. Her time was 22nd of the three heats, and only the top 16 advanced to today's semifinals.

The trials continue through Monday, and then after a couple of rest days, resume Thursday and conclude July 6.