EUGENE, Ore. – Anna Willard is headed to Beijing.

The Telstar High School graduate from Greenwood pulled away with two laps remaining to capture the women’s 3,000-meter run at the U.S. Track and Field Trials on Friday and earn a berth on the U.S. Olympic team.

Willard broke the American record with a time of 9 minutes, 27.59 seconds.

The former record was 9:28.75, set last year by Lisa Galaviz.

Willard settled into second place, allowing Jennifer Barringer to set the early pace before moving to the front with two laps remaining.

“I felt so comfortable,” Willard said.

This will be the first Olympic Games to feature the women’s steeplechase.

Joining Willard on the Olympic team in the steeplechase is runnerup Lindsey Barringer and Barringer.

Bates College grads advance

A pair of former Bates College mational champions have qualified for the finals in the throwing events at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials.

Liz Wanless a 2004 graduate, qualified fourth in the shot put with a toss of 57 feet, 7 inches. Wanless achieved the distance on her first toss and passed on her two remaining throws to prepare for Saturday’s finals. She sits 3 inches out of third place and the final berth for the Olympic team.

The finals are scheduled for Saturday.

Earlier, Keelin Godsey, a 2006 graduate, qualified for the finals in the women’s hammer throw Thursday.

Godsey, who holds the NCAA Division III record in the event, threw the hammer 217 feet, 3 inches – a personal best. The throw placed Godsey seventh among 24 competitors. The top 12 advanced to the finals, which will also be held Saturday afternoon.