2016 U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials: The MN Results
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials; a 10 day track and field extravaganza that dictates the members of our 2016 U.S. Olympic Team. It was an eye-opening window into the elite side of our sport, and one I won’t soon forget.
How to accurately and adequately record my experience at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials? It was all at once awe-inspiring, empowering, humbling, exciting, devastating, nerve-wracking, and an all-out incredible 10 days. I witnessed athletes living their dreams, achieving glory by both qualifying for the Olympic team and by simply being on the starting line. I saw heartbreak and anguish, fear, trepidation, and unequivocal happiness. Emotions were high and rampant, visible as much in the athletes as in the fans.
Of course, we cheered loud and strong for our Minnesota based* athletes, competing in a large range of events from the 800 meter, to the heptathlon, to the hammer throw. It was an honor watching them compete; we’re proud of each and all of their efforts! Here are their results:
Amanda Smock – Triple Jump
Amanda advanced to the finals, jumping a distance of 13.12m 0.5 43-00.50 (10th place).
Ben Blankenship – 1,500 meters
Ben advanced through all three rounds of the 1,500 meter race and qualified for the Olympic Team in 3:36.18 (3rd place)!
Biya Simbassa – 5,000 meters
Biya competed in the prelims and finished in 13:53.56 (11th place in his heat).
Emma Bates – 10,000 meters
Emma advanced to the finals and finished in 34:32.44 (21st place).
Gabe Grunewald – 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters
Gabe advanced to the 1,500 finals and finished in 4:18.73 (12th place). She also competed in the 5,000 meter prelims and finished in 15:58.72 (11th place in her heat).
Garrett Heath – 5,000 meters
Garrett advanced to the finals and finished in 13:55.58 (13th place).
Goaner Deng – 800 meters
Goaner competed in the prelims and finished in 1:49.61 (8th place in his heat).
Harun Abda – 800 meters
Harun advanced to the finals and finished in 1:47.05 (7th place).
Hassan Mead – 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters
Hassan advanced through all three rounds of the 5,000 meter race and qualified for the Olympic Team in 13:35.70 (2nd place)! He did not finish the 10,000 meter race.
Heather Kampf – 1,500 meters
Heather advanced to the semi-finals and finished in 4:13.28 (10th place in her heat).
Jamie Cheever – 3,000 meter Steeplechase
Jamie competed in the prelims and finished in 10:01.46 (8th place in her heat).
Jess Lehman – Heptathlon
Jess advanced to the finals and finished with 5806 points (12th place).
Lance Elliot – 1500 meters masters exhibition
Lance competed in the masters exhibition event (not an Olympic Team qualifying event) and finished in 4:06.17 (9th place).
Liz Podominick – Discus Throw
Liz advanced to the finals and threw a distance of 60.07m 197-01 (4th place).
Maddie Van Beek – 3,000 meter Steeplechase
Maddie competed in the prelims and finished in 9:49.56 (6th place in her heat).
Maggie Ewen – Discus Throw and Hammer Throw
Maggie advanced to the finals in both discus and hammer throw. She threw 53.61m 175-11, (12th place) in the discus throw, and 66.35m 217-08 (9th in flight) in the hammer throw.
Mason Ferlic – 3,000 meter Steeplechase
Mason advanced to the finals and finished in 8:30.03 (5th place).
Nicolle Murphy – Javelin
Nicolle advanced to the finals and threw a distance of 56.35m 184-10 (5th place).
Rachel Longfors – Discus Throw
Rachel advanced to the finals and threw a distance of 58.87m 193-02 (7th place).
Rilwan Alowonle Jr – 400 meters
Rilwan advanced to the semi-finals and finished in 50.46 (6th place in his heat).
Sarah Boyle – 3,000 meter Steeplechase
Sarah competed in the prelims and finished in 9:58.27 (6th place in her heat).
Sean Donnelly – Hammer Throw
Sean advanced to the finals and threw a distance of 68.96m 226-03 (9th place in flight).
Will Leer – 1,500 meters
Will competed in the prelims and finished in 3:54.31 (10th place in his heat).
Zach Siegmeier – Pole Vault
Zach competed in the pole vault event, but did not record a height/place.
Whether they finished first or last, we’re incredibly proud of the display of strength and passion by our Minnesota based athletes*. We’re especially excited for Ben Blankenship and Hassan Mead for making the Olympic Team; Congratulations to all who competed!
*Athletes who were born, raised, or who are currently residing in Minnesota.
Did you follow the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials? Who Were You Following and How Did They Do?
