FALLON (AP) - Triple jumper Aarik Wilson of Fallon has moved another step forward in his quest to land an Olympic spot at the Beijing Games.

Wilson on Friday made it through preliminary competition to qualify for Sunday's triple jump finals at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Ore.

Wilson had the third best qualifying jump on Friday at 54 feet, 6½ inches. Walter Davis was first at 55-3 and Rafeeq Curry was second at 54-10.

The top three in Sunday's final involving 12 triple jumpers will qualify for next month's Olympics.

Wilson went 54-6½ on his first jump, and passed up on his third and final leap after fouling on his second jump.

Wilson, who graduated from Churchill County High School in 2001 and Indiana in 2005, has spent the last four years trying to improve after his failed attempt to make the Olympics in 2004.

In 2001, Wilson won his second Class 4A state high school title in the triple jump in record-setting fashion.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-07-05-08 1946EDT