WSU freshman doesn't qualify in 400 hurdles

EUGENE, Ore. — In a word, Jeshua Anderson just ran out of gas in the boiling heat at Hayward Field.

Anderson, the Washington State wide receiver and NCAA champion in the 400 hurdles, was the fastest qualifier in Friday's first heat of the U.S. Olympic trials, outrunning a field that included reigning world champion Kerron Clement and Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor and finishing in 49.05.

But Saturday, the stakes were higher and the champions were faster.

Anderson ran faster than Friday, finishing in 48.92, fifth in his semifinal heat and ninth overall. The top eight qualified for today's final. LaRon Bennett, the eighth-fastest qualifier, ran a 49.25.

"A lot of people were running a lot faster in the second round," said Anderson, 19, from Woodland Hills, Calif. "And my body's tired. I haven't gotten a break from football, indoor track and the outdoor season. I feel blessed to make it this far and hopefully next time I can do even better."

Anderson is the defending world junior champion. And last fall he completed his freshman season as a wide receiver for WSU. A lot has happened to him in a hurry.

"Running at this competition level has been a good thing for me," Anderson said. "I feel fortunate to even be here. I've done a lot this year and now it's time to get some rest, get ready for football season and then track season next year."

After Friday's race Anderson said he felt "a little timid" when he looked at the start list and saw he was in the same heat with Clement and Taylor. The timidity was gone Saturday, but so were his legs.

"I just came in here a little tired and I clipped a couple of hurdles," Anderson said. "But I'm not frustrated. I knew the second round was going to be a lot harder and you had a lot of national champions and world champions running, so this didn't hurt me none. It will help me in the end."

Anderson said he doesn't think of himself as either a hurdler who plays football, or a football player who does hurdles. He said one complements the other.

Cougar Eric Dudley, running in Anderson's heat, finished 10th overall in 49.37.

Note

• Kara Patterson of Vancouver, Wash., advanced to Monday's finals of the javelin with a throw of 175 feet, 9 inches. Ryan Brown of Seattle finished seventh in his heat of the 800-meter semifinals and did not advance.

Steve Kelley: 206-464-2176 or skelley@seattletimes.com.

This story includes information from track reports.