Anderson advances to women's 1,500 final

EUGENE, ORE. - Former Gopher Gabriele Anderson posted the seventh-fastest qualifying time Friday in the women's 1,500-meter semifinals at the U. S. Olympic Trails.

Anderson finished in 4 minutes, 10.08 seconds, but Heather Kampf, another former Gopher running in the same semifinal heat, ran 4:14.03 and failed to advance to Sunday's final.

Minnetonka's Will Leer advanced to the men's 1,500 final, finishing in 3:51.27 in the slower of two heats. Winona's Garrett Heath posted a time (3:42.85) more than 8 seconds faster than Leer's, but he finished too far back in the faster heat to move on. The top five from each heat advanced automatically, along with the next two fastest overall times.

Tarmoh, Felix advance quietlyAllyson Felix and training partner Jeneba Tarmoh easily advanced to the final in the women's 200 meters. After the final Saturday, the two sprinters will finally address how they will break their third-place tie in the 100 and decide who earns the final spot to the London Games.

After her semifinal, Felix came close to breaking her vow of silence on the subject, saying, "Pretty good," before being escorted away by coach Bob Kersee.

Tarmoh and Felix will have some pretty tenacious 200 competition. Carmelita Jeter will be a factor along with Sanya Richards-Ross, who won the 400 earlier at trials.

"I felt good. My body felt really good," Richards-Ross said after turning in the top time of 22.15 seconds in the semis. "Yesterday I was little tight and today I felt fresh.

Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay were expected to sit out this race after securing spots to London in the 100. But the absence of Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix was a surprise. Dix was hampered by a lingering left hamstring injury that slowed him in the 100, but he thought he might be ready for the 200.

Now, Dix's only option for making it to London will be as part of the 400 relay team.

"We're missing Tyson, Walter and Justin -- that's U.S. best right there," said 34-year-old Doc Patton, who advanced in his heat. "The door is open for anyone in the field right now."

Wallace Spearmon had the fastest time in the prelims.