A young throwback

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About 40 years ago, it was not uncommon for women (girls?) in their mid-teens to compete in the U.S. Olympic trials because the level of competition was far from what it is today and older athletes lacked the financial backing to prolong careers.

But Laura Roesler is the exception today.

And exceptional as well.

Roesler, 16, of Fargo, N.D., who just finished her sophomore year of high school, ran in the women’s 800-meter heats as the 2008 trials opened tonight.

And she qualified for Saturday’s semifinal by finishing fourth in her heat with a time of 2 minutes 4.03 seconds.

Roesler, seen here at far left, was 7th fastest of the 16 qualifiers. ‘It’s pretty cool to even come to watch, let alone get to run,’’ she said.

Roesler ran in hot pink fingernails and a sleeveless shirt with no logo rather than any kind of uniform.

‘This is all I really have,’’ she said. ‘I got it at Target.’’

Her Friday night became a lot more exciting than it would have been at home.

‘I would probably be hanging out with friends. There’s not much to do in Fargo,’’ she said.

She made a late charge to finish fourth after being boxed in early in the race.

‘I was kind of worried,’’ she said. ‘I didn’t have the greatest position. When an opening came, I had to take it.’’

Roesler began winning state high school meets as a seventh grader. She has won four straight titles at 400 meters and three straight at 100, 200 and 400.

Was this her greatest moment?

‘Probably,’’ she said.

Then she began throwing up.

-- Philip Hersh and Helene Elliott