After thrilling the Track Town USA crowd last year in the Olympic Trials with her desperate race against both the clock and her competitors on the track, Amy Yoder Begley returned to Eugene, Oregon and rocked the house. Yoder Begley captured her first USA championship in the 10,000 meter run with an inspired stretch run, to defeat 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan and set a new Hayward Field record.

*** Click here to view photos from the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships – Day 1 (Thursday) ***

In the men’s 10,000 meter final, local favorite Galen Rupp captured the title in his last appearance in an Oregon Ducks uniform.

The first three Olympians of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field were determined during the women’s 10,000 meter run, which was the final event of Day 1 competition.

American Record holder Shalane Flanagan outkicked 2007 World Championships bronze medalist Kara Goucher for the win, while Amy Yoder Begley ran a spirited race for both third place and against the clock to punch her ticket to Beijing.

*** Click here to view Day 1 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***