July 3, 2008

EUGENE, Ore. - Former San Diego State track and field athlete and San Diego native Erin Asay advanced to the finals of the pole vault Thursday evening at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field. Current Aztec Stephanie Bagan, however, fell short of joining the former All-American in the finals on a night where conditions were less than ideal.

Asay, a 2006 indoor All-American, battled windy conditions to clear the second-best height, 13 feet, 9.25 inches (4.20m), to finish in sixth place in Flight 1 and 10th overall. The top vault of 14-1.25 (4.30m) was accomplished by nine other athletes, including Stacy Dragila and Jenn Stuczynski.

Bagan, a 2008 indoor and outdoor All-American, was one of 13 athletes to compete in Flight 2 and missed on all three attempts at 13-5.25 (4.10m). Despite not qualifying for the finals, Bagan will represent the United States at the North America, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-23 Championships, July 18-20, in Toluca, Mexico.

The championship round of the event, which will include 12 finalists, will take place on Sunday, July 6, beginning at 3:40 p.m.