EUGENE, Ore. — It wasn’t so much a matter of redemption, because Sanya Richards didn’t cause the trauma she went through last year. But what Richards did Thursday night did help make up for the ordeal.
Undefeated in the 400 meters in 2006, Richards came down with a rare flu-like virus last year that caused ulcers and fatigued her. She finished fourth at U.S. Outdoor Championships, barely missing the world championships in her event.
She did make worlds in the 200, but that wasn’t an event she was likely to medal in, and she didn’t. The 400 is, and now she will get to do that in the Olympics.
Richards won the 400 at the Olympic Trials in 49.89 seconds. Mary Wineberg, who edged her for third at the U.S. championships last year, finished second and Dee Dee Trotter was third.
“I definitely had that in my mind,” Richards said of last year’s bout with Behcet’s syndrome. “I definitely wanted to win here and go into Beijing as the heavy favorite.”
In the women’s steeplechase finals, Colorado senior-to-be Jenny Barringer made the Olympic team with a third-place finish in 9 minutes, 33.11 seconds. Anna Willard won with an American-record time of 9:27.59.
Barringer led most of the race, but Willard surged with 600 meters to go and Barringer fell off the pace.
“I’m so happy,” Barringer said. “I know I faded some, but I’m happy I’m on the team.”
She didn’t look so happy, though. Colorado coach Mark Wetmore could tell she was dissatisfied with her time and finish.
“He told me, ‘You’re on the team, and that’s what we came here to do,’ ” said Barringer, who won the NCAA steeplechase title last month. “I’m slightly disappointed that I faded so much in the last 800. It’s unacceptable to me, as a competitor. He knows that, and he knows I’m going to beat myself up for that. I’m better than that.”
In the men’s 400, LeShawn Merritt beat Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner for the second time in three showdowns this season. They qualified for the Olympic team, along with David Neville.
Richards said failing in the 400 last year was the hardest thing she had experienced.
“I didn’t go to sleep that entire night,” Richards said. “It was a really, really rough time for me, but I’m fortunate to have a great family.”
Richards’ support system includes fiancé Aaron Ross, a defensive back for the New York Giants.
“He’s already gotten his Super Bowl championship, and he really wants me to get that Olympic gold,” Richards said. “He told me to stay relaxed, stay calm and I’ll be heading to Beijing.”
Two former Colorado Buffs advanced to the finals of the men’s steeplechase. Billy Nelson, who wrapped up his collegiate career last month with a runner-up finish at the NCAAs, finished second in his semifinal heat in 8 minutes, 26.17 seconds. Steve Slattery was sixth in the same heat in 8:30.49.
“We went out a little quick,” Nelson said. “We were above the pace I wanted to go. I PR’ed by 2 seconds and lived to fight another day.”
Slattery took a more tactical approach, trying to conserve energy for Sunday’s final.
“I just plan to recover as quick as possible,” said Slattery, 27, who represented the U.S. in the 2003 world championships. “That was the whole point of not running harder than I needed to. I know I can run faster.”
Casey Malone, a former CSU athlete and 2004 Olympian who coaches at Colorado, made Sunday’s discus finals.
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
