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EUGENE, Ore. — At Tennessee, Sarah Bowman is accustomed to finishing toward the top of every race without a lot of competition.

She found out Friday night things are a little different at the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field.

Bowman, who placed third in the 1,500-meter run at last month’s NCAA meet, made the finals of the 1,500, but just barely. Bowman finished sixth — the last qualifying place — at 4 minutes, 13.29 seconds.

“It’s hard because this is a different type of competition,” Bowman said. “They’re all just right there pushing, fighting for their position and you start to get passive.”

Bowman jumped out front at the gun, pulling into third. She lasted a lap and a half there before fading to the back. At the bell lap she was in seventh, but kicked hard her last 200 meters to finish just in time.

“All of the sudden it just happens and you’re like, ‘Oh, crap,’ ” Bowman said of being in the back. “I really had to make sure I came back at the end because I was like, ‘You’ve worked too hard.’ I’m really glad I re-dug down in the last 100. I found that extra push.”

Treniere Clement, who lives in Knoxville and trains with Lady Vols coach J.J. Clark, also qualified for the 1,500 finals, finishing fifth at 4:13.24.

Meanwhile, UT’s Rubin Williams’ 200 preliminary heat had only four runners so it was a given he would advance to this morning’s quarterfinals. He ran a 20.82, finishing second in his heat. The semifinals will be run this afternoon, and the finals Sunday.

“It was smooth, really easy,” said Williams, UT’s most decorated All-America with 17 career honors. “There were only four people and four advance, so it really doesn’t matter (how you finish).”

Evander Wells, finished fifth in his heat at 20.84. Because he had one of the top 24 times though, Wells, a six-time All-American in his two seasons at UT, will run in the finals.

Lynne Layne of the Lady Vols also finished fifth in her heat of the women’s 200, but snuck into the semifinals in 23.47.

Former UT All-America Leigh Smith will also compete Sunday after qualifying for the javelin final. Smith, who holds the UT record in the event, had the fifth-best throw in the qualifying round at 243 feet, 6 inches.

Garland Porter, another former Vol, finished ninth in the finals of the hammer throw with a toss of 224-10.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.