Mitchell on Olympic relay team

Manteo Mitchell crosses the finish
line during a men's 400m preliminary at
the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)   (Associated Press)

Eugene, OR -  Manteo Mitchell ended up with the fifth best time of 44.96 in the finals of the 400 meter dash at the US Olympic trials, just two spots and 0.16 seconds from qualifying individually in the 400 meter.

However, as one of the top six finishers, he qualified for this year’s US Olympic Team as part of the 4x400-meter relay team. Now that his Olympic ticket to London has been punched, he’s not done yet.

Mitchell is now looking ahead to this Friday, when he will participate in the 200-meter Olympic Trials, also in Eugene, Oregan.

“I’m just blessed to be in this position,” Mitchell said in a phone interview after Sunday's race. “Unbelievable,” said WCU coach Danny Williamson, who accompanied him to Oregon. “He put it all on the line. He came up a little short as far as making the top three in the 400, but you can’t complain about that effort. He went after it.”