Charlie Gruber isn’t favored to win the metric mile at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Sacramento, Calif.

Top horse in the 1,500 is former Michigan high school sensation Alan Webb, who enters today’s quarterfinals with an event-best qualifying time of 3:32.74.

However, Gruber, a four-time Big 12 Conference champion while at Kansas University, owns the fourth-best mark at 3:37.23 and remains confident he can finish in the top three and earn a trip to Athens.

“Anything can happen, especially in middle-distance races,” Gruber said. “If you look strictly at times, you’d have to pick Webb, (but) I’ve learned a lesson you can’t base your race on one or two people. I will worry about myself like I always do.”

Webb shattered Jim Ryun’s 36-year-old high school mile mark three years ago.

The 25-year-old Gruber, who did not advance out of the 1,500 quarterfinals at the 2000 trials, worked as a volunteer coach at KU during the last school year while he trained for the trials.

In order to go to Athens, he must advance through today’s 10 p.m. quarterfinals, Friday’s 9:40 p.m. semis, then finish in the top three in Sunday’s 6:30 p.m. finals.

“I’m confident right now,” said Gruber, who won the prestigious Prefontaine Classic in June by .26 seconds over Said Ahmed. “Winning that race put me in the forefront. That’s a huge meet on a big stage.”

Gruber’s recent accomplishments also include a first at the U.S. men’s national cross-country championships and second place in the 1,500 at the USA Indoor.

Former Kansas University runner Charlie Gruber (37) hits the tape while winning the 1,500 meters at the Prefontaine Classic. Gruber, who won the elite race June 19 at Eugene, Ore., hopes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team beginning with today's quarterfinals at Sacramento, Calif.

“I’m excited, not terribly nervous,” he said. “I’ve done every ounce of preparation I can do. I have a lot of momentum. Three of the last four races I PR’ed.”

No one will cheering louder for Gruber than KU coach Stanley Redwine.

“Charlie is fit and running well, and he’s hungry,” Redwine said. “He’s a class act, a role model for KU. We’re pulling for him. He certainly has a chance.”

Gruber has also qualified for the Trials in the 800-meter run, but he has decided to put all his eggs in the 1,500 basket.

“It wasn’t even a decision. The plan was the 1,500 all year. It was a no-brainer,” Gruber said. “The 800 comes first. If the order was reversed, the 1,500 then the 800, I’d do both.”