The first three members of the Team USA roster for the Olympic Games in Athens will be determined at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men�s Marathon this Saturday, February 7 in Birmingham, Alabama. More than 90 of the best U.S. male distance runners are expected to vie for the three coveted Olympic team spots to the Summer Games and $271,500 in prize money.  Michigan represents over ten percent of the field.  Here's a preview of our marathoners:

Clint Verran, Rochester Hills, 28, 2:14:17, Hanson's Brooks Distance Project (HBDP). He is the only returning trials qualifier from Michigan. Since the last trials he has reversed life to being a full time runner/part time student. Has consistently improved since 2000 with great performances at the World Half Marathon Championships, New York City, Boston and Chicago marathons.

Kyle Baker, East Lansing, 28, 2:14:13, Coaches at MSU.  He produced the fastest Michigan qualifying time in his debut marathon at Chicago. Had to scratch out of the Trials due to surgery on a sports hernia he had a few weeks ago.

Ryan Shay, East Jordan, 24, 2:14:29, Nike Team USA, has been training in Chula Visa, CA at the ARCO Olympic Training Center.  Last year became the youngest U.S. men's marathon national champion by beating Clint Verran on the Trials course. He was also the NCAA 10km champion in 2001 while competing for Notre Dame.  His first two marathons have been almost identical and will be considered one of the favorites.

Mike Franco, Rochester, 29, 2:19:30, HBDP, He got under the "A" standard (2:20) by winning his hometown marathon, Bay Shore in Traverse City.  It has been his only marathon.  Per Franco, " My training has been interrupted constantly ever since that race unfortunately and I will probably have to run an extremely conservative race at the trials"

Brian Sell, Rochester, 25, 2:19:50, HBDP. Last year's Chicago Marathon was his only one.  He ran well until he hit the wall at 24 miles.  "It taught me that nothing is for sure in the marathon and the minute you feel good, there could be a monkey right around the next corner waiting to jump on your back."

Carl Rundell, Birmingham, 35, 2:19:59, HBDP. Barely missed the A standard in 2002 but got under the wire in Men's Championships last year in Alabama.

Bob Busquaert, Romeo, 28, 2:20:20, HBDP. Qualified at last year's Grandma's Marathon and will be competing on his old college turf in Birmingham.

Trent Briney, Rochester Hills, 25, 2:21:10, HBDP, Lives in an apartment with two other qualifiers. At Chicago: " Most of my teammates ran shoulder to shoulder near the front of a 40-50 person pack "The Trials 2:22 or Bust Pack" and they were controlling the pace.  My pace duties for the Hanson's group was miles 16,17, and 18 so I didn't need to be in the front of the pack for the first half of the race."  Was ecstatic afterward and hopes to improve in just his second marathon at the trials.

Paul Aufdemberge, Redford, 38, 2:21:55, Total Runner.  He's the only three time Michigan Runner of the year.  Summed up his qualifying marathon like this: At the 22-mile mark a Paul McCartney song blared from a sound system: "If you want it, here it is, come and get it.  But you better hurry 'cause it's goin' fast."  He's one of the oldest and slowest qualifiers but still thinks his best marathon days are ahead.

Ben Rosario, Rochester, 23, 2:21:58, HBDP. Just squeaked under the "B" standard (2:22).  Won the 2002 Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach while still in college.

Terry Shea, 31, Rochester Hills, 2:21:54, HBDP, just joined the Hanson's team after moving from Massachusetts.

Also this weekend: Feb. 8, Riverview's Winterfest 4 Mile Run at 10 a.m. Call 734 282-1101.