Allison Laske

PALO ALTO, CA - The University at Buffalo's Allison Laske (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) earned an Olympic Trials qualifying standard with her fourth-place finish in the 800-meter run at the 2004 Cardinal Invitational at Stanford University's Cobb Track.

Facing some of the top athletes in the country, Laske, a senior, turned in a 2:04.81 clocking, good enough to attain a "B" standard for the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials. The time shattered her own school record in the event by nearly five seconds. Laske raced to a 2:09.63 showing at March's Raleigh Relays to establish the previous record.

In a tight race, Laske was among a group of five runners that crossed the finish line within less than 1.25 seconds of each other. Frances Santin of Santa Monica Track Club won the race in 2:03.73. Tamika Williams of the Nike Farm Team, an elite training group based in Palo Alto, was second in 2:04.40 while Kentucky's Beth Heimann was the only collegian to finish ahead of Laske in 2:04.69.

Laske's time is also the fastest turned in by a Mid-American Conference runner this season in the 800-meters as she moved ahead of Akron's Beata Rudzinska, who clocked a 2:07.92 at the Drake Relays on April 24.

Women's 800-meter qualfying standards are 2:01.00 for an automatic berth and 2:04.90 for consideration. Thirty athletes will make the field for the Olympic Trials this July in Sacramento.

A complete list of results appears below.

1, Frances Santin (Santa Monica Track Club) 2:03.73. 2, Tamika Williams (Nike Farm Team) 2:04.40. 3, Beth Heimann (Kentucky) 2:04.69. 4, Allison Laske (Buffalo) 2:04.81. 5, Andrea Morgan (Nike Farm Team) 2:04.88. 6, Sandra Moya (Santa Monica Track Club) 2:06.13. 7, Daniell Thornal (Nike Farm Team) 2:06.57. 8, Tyrona Heath (Nike Farm Team) 2:06.69. 9, Jill Snyder (Adidas) 2:06.74. 10, Monica Joannes (Unattached) 2:07.10. 11, Hilary Edmondson (Wisconsin) 2:07.21.