The men's 1972 United States Olympic trials for track and field were held from June 29 to July 9 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). These were the first trials with no preliminary events; athletes merely had to meet the qualification standard in their event. This was also the last time the women's Olympic trials were held separately, and the ten-day competition in Eugene was held over eleven days.
The women's trials were held separately over two days (July 7–8) in Frederick, Maryland, under less elegant conditions at Governor Thomas Johnson High School. There were no wind readings taken during the events that normally require them; while photo-finish equipment was available in Eugene to separate close finishes, it was not available when needed in Frederick. As a consequence, the women's 100 meter race had to declare a tie for second place and was only able to assess one hand time for the winner. Willye White, who qualified for her fifth Olympics at this meet, later complained that "We did poorly at the Olympics because of poor conditions; lack of meets, lack of qualified coaches, and lack of fairness. For example, the nationals and Olympic trials were conducted on tracks that were not superior, and the team was not in Munich early enough to adjust to the climate and time changes."
The pentathlon took place in New Mexico at Los Alamos on June 23 and 24 and allowed two Canadian athletes to participate. The Canadian athletes finished in the first two positions but did not displace the selection of the American team.
Men's results Key: .
Men track events 100 meters Wind +0.9Eddie Hart 9.9 =Rey Robinson 9.9 =Robert Taylor 10.0 200 meters Wind -0.5Chuck Smith 20.4Larry Burton 20.5Larry Black 20.6 400 metersWayne Collett 44.1John Smith 44.3Vince Matthews 44.9 800 metersDave Wottle 1:44.3 =Rick Wohlhuter 1:45.0Ken Swenson 1:45.1 1500 metersJim Ryun 3:41.5Dave Wottle 3:42.3Bob Wheeler 3:42.4 5000 metersSteve Prefontaine 13:22.8 NRGeorge Young 13:29.4Len Hilton 13.40.2 10,000 metersFrank Shorter 28:35.6Jeff Galloway 28:48.8Jon Anderson 29:08.2 110 m hurdles Wind +2.1Thomas Hill 13.5w Willie Davenport 13.5wRod Milburn 13.6w 400 m hurdlesRalph Mann 48.4 NRDick Bruggeman 48.6Jim Seymour 49.3 3000 m s'chaseMike Manley 8.29.8Doug Brown 8.31.8Steve Savage 8.32.0 20K racewalkLarry Young 1:35:56.4 Goetz Klopfer 1:37:53.4Tom Dooley 1:38:03 50K racewalkLarry Young 4:13:04.4 NRBill Weigle 4:20:09.4Steve Hayden 4:23:22.6MarathonKenny Moore 2:15:57.8Frank Shorter 2:15:57.8Jack Bacheler 2:20:29.2
Men field events High jumpDwight Stones Ronnie Jourdan Chris Dunn Pole vaultBob Seagren Steve Smith Jan Johnson Long jumpArnie Robinson w +1.0Randy Williams w +0.1Preston Carrington w +0.8 Triple jumpJohn Craft w +2.4Dave Smith +0.3 NRArt Walker w +2.6 Shot putGeorge Woods Al Feuerbach Brian Oldfield Discus throwJay Silvester John Powell Tim Vollmer Hammer throwTom Gage Al Schoterman George Frenn Javelin throwBill Schmidt Milt Sonsky Fred Luke DecathlonJeff Bannister 8120Jeff Bennett 8076Bruce Jenner 7846
Notes
Women's results
Women track events 100 meters Wind NWIBarbara Ferrell 11.3 Iris Davis Mattline Render NTNT 200 meters Wind NWIJackie Thompson 23.4 Barbara Ferrell 23.4 Pam Greene 23.7 400 metersKathy Hammond 51.8 NR Debra Edwards 53.3 Mable Fergerson 53.3 800 metersMadeline Manning-Jackson 2:05.2 Cheryl Toussaint 2:05.7 Carol Hudson 2:06.0 1500 metersFrancie Larrieu 4:10.4 NRFrancie Johnson 4:15.2 Doris Brown 4:18.5 100 m hurdles Wind NWIPatty Johnson 13.0 NRLacy O'Neal 13.3Mamie Rallins 13.4
Women field events High jumpDeanne Wilson Sandi Goldsberry Cindy Gilbert Long jumpMartha Watson Willye White Kim Attlesey Shot putMaren Seidler Lynn Graham Mary Jacobson Discus throwOlga Connolly Vivian Turner Denise Wood Javelin throwKate Schmidt Sherry Calvert Roberta Brown PentathlonJennifer Meldrum Jane Frederick 42514169Penny May Marilyn King 42024064Gale Fitzgerald 4034
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References