Manzano races at 2:05 p.m. Friday

July 28, 2012, 10:00 am by Mark Goodson

The 2004 Marble Falls High graduate and two-time NCAA champion for the University of Texas is the top American qualifier in the 1,500-meter race, but Kenyans are considered the favorites in the event.

Manzano qualified for his second Olympics with a 3:35.74 time in Eugene, Oregon in early July.

In that race, he beat American rivals Matthew Centrowitz and Andrew Wheating as he came from back in the pack to win.

The semifinal round of the 1,500 meters race is 2:15 p.m. (Texas time) on Aug. 5. the finals are scheduled for 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 7. All the races will be shown on the NBC network.

The records in the 1,500 meters are:

World record - 3:26.00 - Hicham El Guerrouj (MOR) 7/14/1998

Olympic record - 3:32.07 - Noah Ngeny (KEN) 9/29/2000

American record - 3:29.30 - Bernard Lagat 8/28/2005

The favorites in London are: (personal best/season best)

1. Asbel Kiprop, Kenya (3:29.78/3:29.78) - Reigning Olympic Champ, World Champion in 2011

2. Silas Kiplagat, Kenya (3:29.27/3:29.63) - World Champ Silver Medal in 2009, only man in last 5 years to run under 3:30 more than once.

3. Nixon Chepseba, Kenya (3:29.90/3:29.90) - New to global championships. Set PR in winning Hengelo, a race that had eight men under 3:35 and three under 3:32.

The top Americans:

1. Leo Manzano (3:32.37/3:35.75) – 2-time Olympian, semi-finalist in Beijing

2. Matt Centrowitz (3:34.46/3:35.84) - World Bronze medalist in 2011

3. Andrew Wheating (3:30.90/3:35.89) - '08 Olympian at 800 meters

For me, see Tuesday's Highlander.