Hurdler Angelo Taylor stumbles, recovers to earn fourth Olympic trip

EUGENE, Ore. -- Two-time Olympic 400-meter hurdles champion Angelo Taylor was sailing toward his fourth Olympic berth Sunday, the final day of the U.S. trials, until he clipped the ninth hurdle. He was jarred out of his rhythm and nearly out of luck.

“It took the life out of me,” he said. “I just told myself to regain my composure and finish. I’m thankful I was able to regroup.”

Michael Tinsley of Round Rock, Texas, took that opening to win in 48.33 seconds. Taylor was second, ahead of Beijing silver medalist Kerron Clement, who got past a stumbling Bershawn Jackson to take third, 48.89 to 48.94.

“It’s the worst place you can possibly finish,” Jackson, the Beijing bronze medalist, said of crossing the line fourth.

Lashinda Demus of Palmdale won the women’s 400 hurdles in 53.98 seconds, third-fastest in the world this year. She didn’t make the 2008 Olympic team because she hadn’t recovered from giving birth to twin sons, and having the boys share her victory Sunday meant “it all comes full circle now,” she said.

Georganne Moline of the University of Arizona was second in 54.33 seconds, with T’erea Brown third in 54.81. UCLA junior Turquoise Thompson of Lake Forest was fifth in 55.42.

Spearmon gets another chance

Wallace Spearmon Jr., who lost a bronze medal in the 200 at Beijing because of a lane violation, will get another Olympic opportunity. He won here in 19.82 seconds, ahead of Maurice Mitchell (20.14) and Isiah Young (20.16).

“This is a chance at redemption,” Spearmon said. “I don’t take my second chances lightly.”

Shawn Crawford, who won gold in the 200 at Athens and silver at Beijing, was seventh in 20.37.

Field set in 1,500 meters

Leonel Manzano passed Matt Centrowitz in the final 25 meters to win the men’s 1,500 in 3 minutes 35.75 seconds and earn his first Olympic berth. Centrowitz finished in 3:35.84. Hometown favorite Andrew Wheating came out of a pack to grab third at 3:36.68.

Morgan Uceny won the women’s 1,500 in 4:04.59, ahead of Shannon Rowbury (4:05.11) and world champion Jenny Simpson (4:05.17).

Reese’s protest

Defending world long jump champion Brittney Reese won a protest after her final jump was judged foul and won the event with a leap of 7.15 meters (23-51/2 ). Chelsea Hayes was second at 7.10 (23-31/2 ) and Janay DeLoach third at 7.08 (23-23/4 ). It was the first time three U.S. women exceeded 23 feet in one competition.

“We have a great group of girls going to London,” Reese said. “We are ready to sweep.”

Javelin lineup

Brittany Borman of the University of Oklahoma won the women’s javelin throw with a toss of 61.51 meters (201-9). Runner-up Kara Patterson, who trains in Chula Vista, Calif., had a top throw of 59.79 (196-2). Rachel Yurkovich finished fourth but will go to London because third-place finisher Kimberley Hamilton didn’t have the Olympic “A” standard.

Race walk winners

Maria Michta of Nesconset, N.Y., will be the lone U.S. entrant in the women’s 20-kilometer race walk after winning Sunday’s event in 1 hour 34 minutes 53.33 seconds. Trevor Barron of Bethel Park, Pa., won the men’s race Saturday and will be the only U.S. competitor in that event.

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