Headed for Beijing
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
Sheena Tosta waves to spectators after placing third in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.
First came the stomach flu that sidelined the Gar-Field High School graduate for six days and prevented her from training in preparation for this weekend’s U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, Ore.
Then on Sunday, in the finals of the 400-meter hurdles, she battled the wind that knocked her stride off a bit down the backstretch and the pollen that triggered her allergies.
But she found the resolve to overcome them all and qualify for the Summer Games in Beijing after finishing third in a time of 54.62.
“My strategy didn’t go as planned, but my No. 1 goal was to make the Olympic team,” Tosta said. “I’m glad I did. I’m happy with the results.”
Tosta nipped Lashinda Demus by .14 seconds for the final Olympic spot.
Demus, who gave birth to twins in 2007, won the silver medal at the 2005 world championships and was the 2006 national champion.
At the end of Sunday’s race, it was initially announced that Demus had claimed third place.
But Tosta knew she had crossed the finish line in front of Demus. In fact, Tosta said she thought she had even finished higher.
“I thought I was second for a moment and I thought they might change it,” Tosta said.
Tiffany Ross-Williams, who had recorded the best time in the world in 2007 in the event (53.28 seconds) won the 400 hurdles in a time of 54.03, while Queen Harrison, a rising junior at Virginia Tech, was second in a time of 54.60.
In 2004, Tosta set the Olympic Trials record in the 400 hurdles with a time of 52.95. She later finished fourth at the Summer Games in Athens.
“It’s been a tough year, a lot tougher than 2004,” Tosta said.
Finding a training facility near her home in Los Angeles provided the biggest headache as she ended up going to three different tracks.
“The last couple of months, that’s been the biggest issue,” Tosta said.
Tosta also switched coaches. with her husband Joseph now training her.
Then came the stomach flu that sapped her of her energy as she prepared to run for three straight days at the trials.
But all the changes, adjustments and last minute illnesses aside, Tosta is thrilled to earn another trip to the Olympics.
“I’m very relieved,” Tosta said. “There was a lot more pressure to make the team than going to the Olympics.”
The Beijing Games are Aug. 8-24.
Note: Gar-Field High School graduate Virginia Johnson finished fourth in the heptathlon at the Olympic Trials.
The top three finishers earned spots on the U.S. Olympic team.
Johnson totaled 6,247 points, 10 behind third-place finisher Diana Pickler.
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