World bronze medallist Chris Huffins, despite suffering from cramping, outlasted 1999 collegiate champion Tom Pappas in their 400m-decathlon race at the US Olympic trials Thursday.
Huffins, who finished the race in 48.64 seconds, had 4,563 points while Pappas had 4,451 as they prepare for Friday's final events, both expecting to score more than 8,500 points in the 10-event competition.
"I wanted 4,500 points today. I'm not sure what happened in the 400. I felt OK 15-20 minutes before the race but right before my hamstrings started to cramp. The last 40m I had no gas left in the tank."
Defending champion Dan O'Brien did not compete because of a foot injury.
Three-time national champion Pascal Dobert passed Mark Croghan off the final barrier to win the men's 3000m steeplechase.
Dobert finished in 8:15.77 minutes, while Croghan a stride back clocked 8:16.20.
"It feels incredible to make the Olympic team," said the 26-year-old Dobert.
Breaux Greer won the men's javelin final at 81.08m but he isn't assured a trip to Sydney just yet.
American 800m record-holder Johnny Gray dramatically retired after failing to qualify for the event's semifinals.
"I'm officially retired. You'll never see Johnny Gray line up at this stage of competition again."
1996 Olympic champion Derrick Adkins, who stopped taking his anti-depressant medication because it made him lethargic, ran his fastest time this season in the 400m-hurdles with 49.84 seconds and will advance to Saturday's final - (Agencies)
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