Hassan Mead makes Olympics 5000m

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http://m.startribune.com/former-gophers-runner-hassan-mead-headed-to-rio-in-5-000-meters/386163541/

EUGENE, ORE. – Former Gophers All-America distance runner Hassan Mead punched his ticket to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro with a runner-up finish in the 5,000 meters Saturday at the U.S. Olympic trials.

“We’re absolutely thrilled for Hassan,” said Minnesota track coach Steve Plasencia, a two-time Olympian in the 10,000 meters. “He’s simply a tremendous person … he’s poured his heart and soul into running, and we couldn’t be more proud of him right now.”

Mead, a 26-year-old graduate of Minneapolis South, was timed in 13 minute, 35.70 seconds, well off his personal best of 13:02.8 but a close second to 41-year-old Bernard Lagat, who rallied down the stretch and qualified for his fifth Olympics in 13:35.5.

“I train with young guys, and I don’t believe I’m old,” Lagat said. “If you believe you’re old, you’ll run like an old man.”

Paul Chelimo nudged out a sprawling Eric Jenkins by .06 for the last spot.

Mead, who trains with Oregon Track Club Elite, had the top qualifying mark in the men’s 5,000 (13:04.17) going into the trials.

An eight-time All-America and a nine-time Big Ten champion for the Gophers, Mead still owns school records in the outdoor 10,000 meters (28:12.74), the outdoor 5,000 meters (13:28.45), the indoor 5,000 meters (13:33.42) and the 8K in cross-country (23:29).

Another former Gophers men’s All-America, Ben Blankenship, will try to make the team Sunday in the 1,500 meters.

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