Olympic berth closer for Eastler Farmington native in 20K racewalk

SACARMENTO, Calif. – Kevin Eastler will be looking to cap his journey to the top of American racewalking with a spot on the Olympic team today in the 20-kilometer walk at the US Olympic track and field trials.

Over the past year, the 26-year-old Eastler has won his first national title and placed 18th at the World Championships. The former Mt. Blue of Farmington star is one of three competitors with the Olympic A standard (1 hour, 23 minutes) in the event and is considered a favorite to make the team.

Two other Mainers – Ellsworth’s Ben Shorey and Columbia’s Anne Favolise – are also competing in the racewalk. Shorey and Favolise are both entering their senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Eastler and Shorey will race at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Favolise’s race is Sunday at 10 a.m. EST. The race course winds through the roads on the California State University campus, starting and finishing on the track at the Spanos Sports Complex.

The top three finishers in the race, provided they have the A standard, will be selected for the team. Countries are not allowed to send more than one athlete to the Olympics unless they all have the A standard.

Since Eastler (1:22.25), Tim Seaman (1:22.02), and John Nunn (1:22.31) are the only three in the field with the standard, it is likely that they would be selected for the team even if they did not finish in the top three. The next two fastest men in the field – Curt Clausen and Philip Dunn – have already made the Olympic team in the 50-kilometer walk and are using Saturdays race as a tune-up for Athens.

Seaman won the 2000 trials and walked at the Sydney Olympics. Eastler was second in the 2000 trials but was not selected for the team because he had not achieved the A standard. Eastler currently lives in Colorado and trains full time in the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program.

Shorey (1:28.30) is the sixth fastest man in the race, but his training has been hampered by a hamstring injury. Wisconsin-Parkside coach Mike DeWitt is still optimistic about his chances.

“Ben’s basically looking to finish sixth. He’s the best of the rest [in the field], the up and comer kid. If he walks near PR [personal record] level, if anyones not on in the top group, he has a chance to beat them, too,” said DeWitt.

In the women’s race, 40-year-old Joanne Dow (1:32.55) is the only athlete in the field with the A standard (1:33.30). She will be challenged by defending trials champion Michelle Rohl, who has walked in three Olympics.

Favolise (1:45.46) has the 11th fastest time. DeWitt expects her to perform well.

“She’s very fit, very strong, and happy with the way she’s walking now. With a good race she could nip into the top 10,” he said.