Galen Rupp

DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA – Former University of Oregon national champions Galen Rupp and Rachel Yurkovich were both in action on Thursday morning at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Competing in qualifying rounds simultaneously in conditions that can only be described as brutally hot and humid, Rupp qualified for the finals of the 5000 meters, while Yurkovich did not advance to the finals of the women’s javelin.

Rupp ran 13:34.91 to place fifth in the first heat, which was won by countryman Bernard Lagat in 13:33.90. While this is Rupp’s third world meet, Sunday’s race will be his first 5000 final at the meet.

Improving his closing speed in races has been an emphasis this year for Rupp and coach Alberto Salazar, and Rupp’s finish on Thursday was impressive. Running comfortably near the lead throughout the race, Rupp ran the last 400 meters in 55 seconds to gain the final automatic qualifying spot.

Galen Rupp wearing pollen mask June 2011

“We’ve been working on my speed all year,” Rupp said. He added that Salazar told him, “It doesn’t matter that these guys have run faster than you, you can kick just as fast. It’s going to be a slow race, just get ready for that last (kilometer).”

Two-time NCAA champion Yurkovich looked quick and explosive, but did not get the big season best throw that it would have taken to get her to the finals. Her best of the three qualifying throws was 58.84 meters, good for 15th place, three spots out of qualifying.

“It was my best series of the season so I can’t complain about that,” Yurkovich said. “I started a little late this season and have been slowly progressing. I thought today would be better, but it was (still) a good day for me.”

Also on Thursday morning, University of Oregon sophomore-to-be Michael Berry ran on the United States’ 4 x 400 relay team that posted the day’s fastest time, 2:58.82, in qualifying for the finals on Saturday.

Bernard Lagat	Rachel Yurkovich	Michael Berry	Lashawn Merritt

Berry, running the third leg, got the baton with a three-meter lead and extended it to seven meters before handing off to the U.S. anchor, Lashawn Merritt. Berry's split was unofficially recorded at 43.83, the fastest of the day for the U.S. team.

“It was good and (this) is a great experience,” said Berry, who last year ran in the World Junior Championships for the U.S. “We feel real good going to finals.”