July 5, 2008

Eugene, Ore. - Former Loyola women's track coach Julie Culley earned a Top-10 finish at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials with a seventh-place showing in the 5,000-meter final. Culley shaved off more than two seconds from her qualifying time to post an outstanding result on Friday night in Eugene, Ore.

Culley advanced to the finals with a 15:36.50 - the fifth fastest time among all qualifiers. On Friday night, she ran a 15:34.43, coming up short of her Olympic dream, but realizing an impressive finish among America's top runners.

Culley, who left Loyola to pursue full-time racing, was the school's first women's track coach. She also served as an assistant to Loyola's cross country program.

U.S. Olympic Trials - 5000m Final
Finals
  1 Kara Goucher                 Nike                  15:01.02
  2 Jennifer Rhines              adidas                15:02.02
  3 Shalane Flanagan             Nike                  15:02.81
  4 Sara Slattery                adidas                15:18.88
  5 Lauren Fleshman              Oregon TC Elite       15:23.18
  6 Arianna Lambie               Nike                  15:29.99
  7 Julie Culley                 New York A C          15:34.43
  8 Rebecca Donaghue             New Balance Boston    15:35.48
  9 Tasmin Fanning               Virginia Tech         15:41.05
 10 Molly Huddle                 Saucony               15:42.19
 11 Melissa Cook                 New Balance           15:48.44
 12 Maureen McCandless           New Balance           15:54.50
 13 Angela Bizzarri              Illinois              16:03.99
 14 Amy Hastings                 adidas                16:07.03
 15 Teresa McWalters             Stanford              16:09.44
 -- Renee Metivier Baille        Nike                       DNF