Bowman's bid falls short

Sarah Bowman figures to get another shot at it in 2012.

Bidding for a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, the 2005 Fauquier High graduate finished eighth in the 1,500 meters Sunday at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. The University of Tennessee rising senior finished in a time of 4:16.54.

Bowman had her problems at the start of the nationally-televised race, almost getting bumped off the track in the early going.

But she persevered. At one point, Bowman ran among the first five, but was unable to maintain that pace.

Favorite Shannon Rowbury ended up winning in 4:05.48, followed by Erin Donohue (4:08.20) and Christin Wurth (4:08.48).

For Bowman, the Olympic trials were about gaining experience. She advanced through the quarterfinal and semifinal stages and gave herself a chance at the Beijing Games Sunday.

She came into the trials coming off a personal best of 4:07.50 at the NCAA championships, when she finished third.

Bowman could take solace in the fact that she was the only collegian in Sunday's race, although there was one high schooler, Jordan Hasay, who was 10th.