Michigan distance runner Lindsey Gallo looked at the 2004 U.S.
Olympic Track and Field Trials as a chance to gain some valuable
experience against world-class competition. She left the trials in
Sacramento, Calif. which lasted from July 9th to the18th, not only
with confidence to compete at a high level, but also with a new
Michigan record. Gallo left her mark in the semifinals of the
1,500-meter run, setting a new school record in the event and
advancing to the finals. The distance runner clocked in at 4:09.94,
which was good enough to land her fourth place in the semifinal
heat.
“I was excited to break the school record,” Gallo
said. “It has been a goal of mine all season.”
Despite not making the Olympic team, Gallo finished as the top
collegian runner in the final heat, finishing in 11th place.
Gallo also made sure she had the proper training and mindset to
compete against world-class competition.
“I had to relax and not get too nervous,” the
Michigan senior said. “I stayed focused and looked at it like
any other race.”
After turning in a respectable finish at this year’s
trials, Gallo hopes to build on the experience as she sets her
sights on the 2008 Olympics. Though she did not qualify for the
U.S. Olympic team, the Michigan runner left with many positives
from her time in Sacramento and commented on the value of the
experience.
“It was really great. It made me realize that going to the
Olympics is something I’d really like to do,” Gallo
said. “It was good experience for four years from
now.”
Other Michigan athletes who competed in Sacramento were hurdler
Verra Simms, javelin thrower Lindsey Stephenson and discus thrower
Melissa Bickett. Simms ran a time of 1:00.91 in the quarterfinals
of the 400-meter hurdles, finishing 23rd. Stephenson finished 15th
in the preliminaries of the javelin throw with a distance of
151’8’’ (46.24 meters), and Bickett finished 16th
in the discus throw preliminaries with a distance of 176’
(53.64 meters).