Milne, Cummins seek standards at Donovan Bailey Invitational

A Donovan Bailey Invitational Preview

The third stop in the National Track League touches down in Edmonton on Saturday. This will be the last major Canadian event before the Olympic trials in Calgary at the end of June. For some, this meet is do-or-die.

Here are previews of the two key Olympic qualifying races to watch in Edmonton:

Men’s 1500m

No one is feeling the pressure more than Taylor Milne. The 1500m specialist will have to make the “A” standard of 3:35.50 at Edmonton’s Foote Field. Milne has not raced well as of late, seemingly throwing in the towel in the final stretch of his race in Victoria last weekend. The 2008 Olympian knows that he will have to push the pace it sags, perhaps even needing to front-run, as he did without much success in his last attempt at the “A” standard.

Seemingly on the opposite end of the spectrum right now is fellow 1500m Nate Brannen. He has strung together a series of solid performances recently, making the “A” standard along the way. He may be able to help his fellow Canadian in this race by keeping the pace brisk.

Ethiopian Dawit Wolde should also help the pace. He ran a personal best 3:33.82 at the end of May at Hengelo.

Speed River product Kyle Boorsma will also be looking to improve his personal best time of 3:39.21. Other Canadians include Ross Proudfoot, Matt Lincoln, Jeremy Rae, and Jeff Martinson, who has run a 3:37.56 but is currently with the rest of the group of Canadians on the outside looking in at a Canadian qualification time.

Geoff Harris is also listed to compete in the 1500m (but there are reports he may withdraw to find an 800m race elsewhere). Harris was attempting to hit the “A” standard last weekend in Victoria when we was knocked down in a cranked pack 600m into the 800m race. According to the Chronicle-Herald, Harris was “banged up but uninjured’ in the fall.

Harris could be looking for another 800m race before the trials in order to attempt the “A” standard. He has made the “B” standard this year and would need either another “B” standard and a top 3 at Trials or the “A” standard (if Andrew Ellerton gets named to the team)  and a top 3 finish in Calgary.

Women’s 800

Rising star Jessica Smith brings with her an impressive sub-two-minute win at the Harry Jerome Track Classic. Having squeaked under the “A” standard, all Smith must do now is place in the top 3 at the trials. This race could be an opportunity for her to either gain confidence with another solid time and placing, or it could be used to practice tactics.

Wiley veteran Diane Cummins knows that this race will require something special. The Canadian women’s 800m record-holder has not come close this year to her former glory, but will have an opportunity in Edmonton to find her way under the “A” standard and onto the Olympic squad.

Also in contention will be Lemlem Bereket Ogbasilassie, who ran exceptionally well at Harry Jerome, clocking in at 2:00.82. Earlier this year, the former Eritrean national was running the fastest 800m times for Canadian women.

The Donovan Bailey Invitational takes place June 16, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Mountain. It can be streamed live on flotrack.org.

Keep an eye on our Twitter feed for live results.