Wilkinson Among Final 12 at U.S. Olympic Trials

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Eugene, Ore. ? Former Husker and three-time Big 12 champion Kayla Wilkinson advanced to the finals of the women’s javelin on Saturday, June 28, at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The Deshler, Neb., native and two-time NCAA All-American recently concluded her career at Nebraska with a third-place finish at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, June 14. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Wilkinson’s final throw of 164-1 (50.01) qualified her for the No. 11 spot in the 12-athlete final and got her one step closer to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. To make the U.S. Olympic Team, Wilkinson will have to finish in first place with the ?B’ standard of 183-8 (56.00) or finish in the top three with the ?A’ standard of 198-6 (60.50). She will now compete in the finals on Monday, June 30, at 10:20 p.m. (Central).

 

“It is amazing. This is my first time in Oregon and to be here in ?Tracktown USA’, it is amazing to compete in the Olympic Trials. It is just a dream to be here, I am in complete awe,” responded Wilkinson following the qualifying round of the women’s javelin.

 

When asked on what she will have to do better in the finals, Wilkinson responded, “My approach was a little off today. What is funny is I was practicing it the other day in practice and it was going so well that I don’t know what was wrong today. Maybe it was just nerves.”

 

The school-record holder at 182-10 (55.73), has made a triumphant return to the javelin runway after sitting out the 2007 season with a shoulder injury. At the time of her surgery, Wilkinson was told she may never be the athlete she once was. She showed no ill effects at the first outdoor meet of the 2008 season. In Tucson, Ariz., at the Jim Click Shootout she set the Roy P. Drachman Stadium record with a throw of 179-7 (54.75), which earned her the U.S. Olympic Trials ?A’ standard. Wilkinson went on to cap her Big 12 career by winning her third javelin title while breaking her own school record.

Former Husker Ray Scotten also competed on Friday in the men’s pole vault preliminaries. However, Scotten did not qualify for the finals. Other current and former Huskers yet to take their shot at the U.S. Olympic Team include Epley Bullock (women’s high jump), Dusty Jonas (men’s high jump), Anne Shadle (women’s 1,500 meters), Ann Gaffigan (women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase), Jeni Steiner (women’s shot put) and Melissa (Price) Myerscough (women’s hammer throw).

Other current Huskers competing in Olympic Trials in their home countries include Nicholas Gordon (Jamaica - long jump) and Adam Wolkins (Canada ? javelin). Former Husker Priscilla Lopes-Schliep who won the 2004 indoor 60-meter hurdle national title and holds the school record in the 60-meter dash (7.23), 60-meter hurdles (7.87) and 100-meter hurdles (12.60) will look to make a return trip to the Olympic Games for the Canadian team after competing at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Current and Former Husker Athletes Still in the U.S. Olympic Trials (all times Central)

Kayla Wilkinson ? Javelin Finals: Monday, June 30 (10:20 p.m.)

Epley Bullock ? High Jump Prelims: Monday, June 30 (9:15 p.m.)

Dusty Jonas ? High Jump Prelims: Thursday, July 3 (9:25 p.m.)

Anne Shadle ? 1,500-Meter Prelims: Thursday, July 3 (9:30 p.m.)

Ann Gaffigan ? 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Prelims: Monday (June 30, 9:40 p.m.)

Melissa Price ? Hammer Throw Prelims: Thursday, July 3 (9 p.m.)

Jeni Steiner ? Prelims: Thursday, July 3 (11:20 p.m.)