| EUGENE, Ore. - The strongest women's 100m lineup in years went 1-2-3, and Hyleas Fountain became the best American heptathlete since the 1980s. Whew. The top three finishers in each event at these Olympic Trials, who have met Olympic performance standards, will earn the ultimate prize of a spot on the Team USA roster for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Wonder Women in the 100 A very swift semifinal round in the women's 100 laid the groundwork for a very anticipated final, the last event on Saturday. In the semis, Torri Edwards posted a huge personal best in the second heat with 10.78. With a legal wind of +1.8, it easily eclipsed her previous best of 10.90 and made her the eighth-fastest woman in history. The one casualty of the semis was World Outdoor bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter, who was fifth in the second semi and did not advance. The finishing order of the final was anyone's guess, and the race played true to that. Edwards again was fast out of the blocks, with quarterfinal sensation Marshevet Hooker moving out slowly. The field then began to shift places, as 2004 Olympic 200m finalist Muna Lee surged ahead to win in 10.85 (+1.0), with Edwards second in 10.90 and Olympic silver medalist Lauryn Williams third in 10.90. Hooker finished fourth in 10.93, with Allyson Felix fifth in 10.96 as all five dipped under 11. Fountain emerges in heptathlon After a personal-best day one, Fountain on Saturday continued the finest heptathlon competition of her career, becoming the #3 American woman of all time with her 2008 world-leading point total of 6,667. She started her day with yet another personal best in the long jump. Her mark of 6.88m/22-7 (1.6mps wind, 1132 points) was her fourth personal best out of five events contested to that point, and was the third-best mark long jump by an American this year. She was just as sharp in the javelin, throwing a personal-best 48.15m/158-0 (824 points). She finished out the competition with a time of 2:27.69 (722 points) in the 800. Over two days, she won five of seven events and posted five event personal bests as well as her overall personal-best score. Joining Fountain on the Olympic Team are Jacquelyn Johnson , who placed second with 6,347 points, and Diana Pickler, third with 6,257. 400m finals set Defending Olympic Trials champion Sheena Johnson Tosta easily moved on in the women's hurdles, winning the first semi in 54.95. Defending national champion Tiffany Ross-Williams won the second heat in 54.75. Drama in the 800s The women's 800m semifinals got off to a very dramatic start. During the first heat, a fall left four women on the track just past turn three, on the first lap. Kameisha Bennett and Becky Horn were the first to go down, with Latavia Thomas next to hit the track and American indoor record holder Nicole Teter then taking a tumble. Teter eventually worked her way up to fifth. Although only the top four finishers were slated to make the final, the Head Referee ruled Teter, Horn, Bennett and Thomas could advance. Alice Schmidt won the race in 2:03.27, while Morgan Uceny won the second semi in 2:02.10. The final will be Monday. Defending USA outdoor champion Dana Pounds was the top qualifier in the women's javelin throw with a mark of 57.25m/187-10, moving to Monday's final. For complete coverage of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, including results, athletes quotes, TV schedule and start lists, visit www.usatf.org Records set at 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field
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