EUGENE — Oregon State alum Kaylee Mitchell won the first qualifying heat of the women’s steeplechase Monday at the U.S. Olympic trials at Hayward Field.

Mitchell ran with the lead pack most of the way, coming across the line first with her final few steps. Her time was 9 minutes, 29.54 seconds.

She was fractionally in front of Valerie Constien, second in 9:29.61, and Courtney Wayment, third in 9:29.66. The first five finishers in the heat and the next two fastest times advanced automatically to Thursday’s final.

“Did I win the heat?” Mitchell asked in surprise. “That wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to be top five. I always get nervous getting too close – what if someone is sprinting? Whether it was first or third, I didn’t really care.”

There was nobody chasing her hard from behind this time. The second heat was faster. Both time qualifiers came from the second heat, which was won by Gabbi Jennings in 9:23.88.

Mitchell, who grew up in a military family, lived in a number of locales before graduating from Sprague High School in Salem. She was a finalist in last year’s USA Track & Field steeplechase.

She is training professionally with the Eugene-based Bowerman Track Club. She spent some of her time in the interview area detailing her tattoos. Some of those on the left side of her body, she tattooed on herself.

“The finger ones hurt the most, especially when I get near my nails,” Mitchell said. “I don’t know. I do a sport where you’re supposed to feel pain. I guess I kind of practice the mental side of it.”

Here are results from the U.S. Olympic trials.

-- Ken Goe for The Oregonian/OregonLive