Felix breezes, Hooker lunges in 200

EUGENE, Ore. — Allyson Felix breezed her way to the Olympics. Marshevet Hooker — she stumbled in.

The day after Tyson Gay’s untimely fall reminded everyone there are no sure things on the track, the women’s 200 served up another harrowing lesson at the U.S. Olympic trials.

There was no drama to Felix’s win in an easy 21.82 seconds. But for the third and final spot, Hooker made it really interesting, stumbling at the finish line to propel herself forward and give her the .01-second advantage over Lauryn Williams, who already had made it in the 100.

Hooker paid for this trip — with scrapes on her elbow, hip, hand, leg. “Battle scars,” she called them.

“All I remember is pushing my chest forward, because I knew that was going to get me in the race,” Hooker said. “I didn’t feel the pain until we got over there and did the awards. But I was happy. I was happy to feel every little sting.”

Hooker needed this finish or she would’ve had to wait to see if she made the relay team. She opened the meet in a 100 qualifier by running a wind-aided 10.76 — fifth-fastest of all time in all conditions — but finished out of the top three in the final. She’ll be going in the 200, but Carmelita Jeter will not. She finished sixth.

[READ MORE]