July 21, 2000

Sacramento, Calif. - Former Tiger all-American Derrick Peterson had his Olympic dreams dashed by the narrowest of margins tonight at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif., as he finished fifth in his semi-final heat of the men's 800 meters. The top four finishers advanced to Sunday's finals.

Peterson was involved in an incredible photo finish that had to be sorted out by meet officials, as five athletes vying for the four spots all finished on top of each other. After the smoke cleared, the following finish was determined:

1. ROBINSON Khadevis SMTC - Santa Monica TC 1:48.01

2. WOODWARD Bryan REEB - Reebok 1:48.06

3. KENAH Rich ASIC - Asics 1:48.07

4. KUZMA Jeffrey AF - Air Force 1:48.09

5. PETERSON Derrick UOMI - Missouri 1:48.10

Peterson's chance at realizing his Olympic dreams were spoiled by just .01 hundredth of a second in an incredible race that saw the top five separated by less than a tenth of a second.

The race concluded Missouri's appearance at the Trials, but a record nine current or former athletes made Head Coach Rick McGuire quite proud.

MU's current student-athletes included:

Ashley Wysong, women's 800 meters (3rd in heat of opening round -- did not advance)

Christian Cantwell, men's shot put (did not mark in prelims -- did not advance)

Kerry Hils, women's 3,000 meter steeplechase (13th in finals)

Michelle Moran, women's heptathlon (16th overall)

MU's former student-athletes included:

Derrick Peterson, men's 800 meters (5th in semi-finals -- did not advance)

Darren File, men's javelin (9th in finals)

Rebecca Wilmes, women's 1,500 meters (25th in prelims -- did not advance)

Ray Hughes, men's 3,000 meter steeplechase (25th in prelims -- did not advance)

Ryan Pirtle, men's 3,000 meter steeplechase (26th in prelims -- did not advance)