WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Former UNC track star makes Olympic team

By Bob Holliday

Jun 28, 2008

Former North Carolina track standout Shalane Flanagan will represent the United States in the Olympic Games at Beijing.

Flanagan finished first in the 10,000-meter final Friday night at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. Her time of 31:34 set a new record for Hayward Field, beating a mark established by Mary Decker in 1982.

Although she is the American record holder in this event, Flanagan had run the 10,000 in competition just one other time prior to this run at the Olympic Trials.

Flanagan, who now lives in Pittsboro, is also the American record holder at 5,000 meters. She is expected to compete in this event, which is her specialty, beginning Monday night.

Kara Goucher and Amy Begley also earned spots on the Olympic Team by placing second and third, respectively, behind Flanagan.