Matt Gonzales is a top-three finish from going to Athens after winning the first heat in the men's 5,000-meter semifinals on Monday with a time of 13 minutes, 44.19 seconds.
The final race in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials takes place on Friday in Sacramento, Calif.
Lobo head track and field coach Matt Henry said Gonzales prevailed in his heat thanks to heady and strategic running.
"Matt never got excited and ran smart the whole way," Henry said. "He was always in contention."
Despite a relatively slow pace, Gonzales kept his running steady and was among the top five runners throughout the race. Solidly in fourth with just 80 meters to go, he managed to speed through a small gap on the inside lane and surged ahead to take first place.
"He would have qualified anyway," Henry said. "But he caught a lane at the end and won."
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Gonzales is originally from Santa Fe, and his coach feels his performance is something extraordinary for New Mexico. Gonzales has been running in his cherry and silver uniform.
"It's very special for him to be representing New Mexico," Henry said. "For the cameras to close in on him, and to see New Mexico written on his chest - that's special."
The track qualifiers were broadcast on national television. Friday's trials will be broadcast live on USA Network at 8 p.m.
Off the track with so much time between races, Gonzales is trying to stay sharp without working himself too hard. Henry said Gonzales has been taking light 30 - 40 minutes runs each day, but otherwise is staying rested.
"It's important that he doesn't work too hard right now," Henry said.
Henry said he didn't expect Gonzales to qualify to compete in the Olympics earlier this year. But Henry seems to have renewed confidence in the UNM runner.
"His chances are just as good as anybody else's here," Henry said. "He's been running as well as anyone. We just have to hope that he's on that day, and he performs like we know he can."
Gonzales needs to finish in the top three and meet the Olympic A standard of 13 minutes, 21.5 seconds to qualify.
Other notable racers at the trials are Adam Goucher, the 2000 trials champion who finished 10th in the first heat, and 2003 U.S. 5,000 champion Tim Broe, who won the second heat with the fastest time of the night, 13 minutes, 42.19 seconds.
