A change in plans

EUGENE, Ore. -- Jordan Hasay and her family made plans to attend the U.S. Olympic trials as spectators and leave Friday for Poland, where she is to begin running in the World Junior Championships on July 11.

She found out Wednesday that other runners' withdrawals would allow her to run the 1,500 meters at the trials, but the 16-year-old from San Luis Obispo, Calif., still figured to be leaving after Thursday's first-round heats.

Then she made the Friday semifinals, and USA Track & Field officials said she did not have to travel with the team.

"Once I made the semis, they said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, so I am traveling out on Monday,'' Hasay said.

That is a day after Hasay runs in the final, for which she qualified by setting a national high school record of 4 minutes 14.50 seconds.

Hasay, who just finished her sophomore year at Mission College prep, needed to be in the top six in her heat to make the final.  With the sellout Hayward Field crowd urging her on, Hasay, running in the USA uniform she will wear in Poland, passed two runners in the final 200 meters to finish fifth.

"I never dreamed of making the final,'' she said.

She broke a record of 4:16.42 set three weeks ago by recent high school graduate Christine Babcock of Irvine, who finished ninth in Hasay's race.

Hasay already has become well-known for her waist-length blond hair, which she ties into a ponytail.

"Now It's kind of my trademark,'' she said.  "So I'm kind of hesitant to cut it.''

-- Philip Hersh

Photo: Jordan Hasay celebrates after qualifying for the finals and setting a U.S. high school record time in the women's 1,500-meter semifinals. Credit: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

 

Comments

[DM]

Jordan, you are unbelievable! (amazing and awesome are so overused these days) WE are all cheering for you back home. By the way, she just finished her junior year (not sophomore). Good luck on Sunday. Glad you could stay in the U.S. for your most spectacular 4th of July ever.

[Eric Pelle]

Hasay just completed her grade-11 season at Mission College Prep, not her grade-10 season. Great race, excellent experience captured, and an incredible amount of momentum gained heading to Poland.

[Mike]

I just see it coming now.

America's darling of the 2008 Olympics

Every teenage girl is going to now become blond and wear their hair long like Ms. Hasay

[Steve And Sterling Cross]

Great Job Jordan, My daughter and I watched you at the National Championships in Indy 2 years ago. We knew you would be here. We have talked about you for two years and were overjoyed to see you on the Olympic trials this soon. Congratulations!

[Greg Howe]

Jordan!
Many of us from San Luis Obispo county are beaming with pride!