Provided by U of M

June 28, 2012

• Michigan at the London Olympics
• Olympic Trials Centrals: United States | Canada

EUGENE, Ore. -- Former University of Michigan athletes, American Anna (Willard) Pierce (2007) and Canadian Nicole (Edwards) Sifuentes (2005-08), each secured spots in the 1,500-meter finals at their respective Olympic Trials on Thursday (June 28).

At the U.S. Olympic Trials at Oregon's Hayward Field, Pierce finished 11th in the semifinals in 4:15.86 to advance to the finals, which will take place on Friday (June 29) at 3:45 p.m. PDT. Pierce was a member of Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she advanced to the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

At Foothills Athletic Park in Calgary, Canada, Sifuentes finished second in the semifinals at the Canadian Olympic Trials in a time of 4:22.21. She will now compete in the finals on Friday (June 29) at 2:25 p.m. MDT.

Both athletes need a top-three finish to represent their respective countries at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Former Wolverine Bettie Wade (2006-09) will compete in the heptathlon on Friday and Saturday (June 29-30).

U.S. Olympic Trials Television Schedule
Friday, June 29, 6-8 p.m. (TV: NBCSN)
Saturday, June 30, 9-10 p.m. (TV: NBC)
Sunday, July 1, 7-8 p.m. (TV: NBC)

* All broadcasts live

Contact: Whitney Dixon