EUGENE, Ore. – Former Norfolk State track star Debbie Dunn came up just short of earning one of three automatic qualifying spots in the 400 meters on the United States Olympic track and field team when she placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday night at Hayward Field.

Dunn, who is back competing after recovering from a stress fracture in her left leg and arthroscopic knee surgery in her right that forced her to withdraw from last year's World Championship team, ran her best time of the season in 50.78 seconds. But she finished fourth behind Sanya Richards-Ross, Dee Dee Trotter and former Hampton star Francena McCorory. Only the top three finishers will represent the United States at the Summer Olympic Games in London in August.

Dunn, the 2010 World Indoor and USA Outdoor champion in the 400 meters, still stands a good chance of being selected for the USA 4x400 meter relay team. Athletes must place in the top six to be considered for the relay events. Dunn, 34, will learn if she gets that relay team spot and her first Olympic team berth after the U.S. Olympic Trials conclude on July 1.

Dunn was NSU's first-ever Division I female track All-American. She earned All-America honors in the 200m (indoors) and 400m (outdoors) in 2000.