If one counted the reasons that Anna Pierce should not run fast, at the top of the list would be items that many athletes struggle to overcome.  

However, Anna's confidence and focus paid off today as she ran 4:05.42 to hit the Olympic A standard for 1500 meters.  Disappointing races indoors and at the Pre Classic are in her rearview mirror as she places herself near the top of form charts heading into the trials. Now in the top four timewise among all entrants, Pierce brings closing speed and healthy experience to an event that requires nerves of steel.

Pierce seems to be on the verge of excelling in the most difficult aspect of race preparation:  timing.  She is rounding into form at the right time as her final is 11 days away.  

Frequently last chance efforts at standards become acts of desparation.  In the case of Pierce, however, it seems that she is just hitting her stride.  It is hard to count her out considering that she placed 6th in the 2009 WC 1500 and nearly medaled at the World Indoors 2010, placing 4th in the 800.  Championship racing is Anna's strength, and she appears to be ready for all the Eugene has to offer.

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Anna Pierce is now one of five US women to hit the Olympic A Standard for the 1500 meters (4:06.0). The others include teammate Morgan Uceny, Jenny Simpson, Shannon Rowbury and Alice Scmidt. Based on USOC rules, the top 3 athletes with the A standard by the end of the Olympic Trials 1500 final will have an opportunity to be choosen for Team USA. This means any women, outside of the five previously mentioned, need to run faster than 4:06 next week at the Trials and finish in the top 3 among women who have the A standard. 

USATF San Diego 1500 results - June 20, 2010 (Mesa JC)
Nicole Sufentes 4:04.74
Anna Pierce 4:05.42
Lucy Van Dalen 4:05.76
Sheila Reid 4:07.77
Malindi Elmore 4:11.62
Morgan Uceny 4:26.17 (pace)