High Schoolers in Olympic Trials
In the modern era of USA track & field, few high school athletes qualify and participate in the U.S. Olympic Trials, not alone qualify for the Olympic Games. In contrast, for example, the average age of the U.S. “women” in the 1968 Olympic Games was 17. The U.S. female high jumpers in the 1972 Games were 14, 14, and 15. Of course, that was before any significant high school or intercollegiate track & field opportunities for U.S. females. High school age “girls” commonly participated only in open competitions with their older counterparts, so competing in the Trials and qualifying for the Games weren't that rare.
Now the standards for participation in the Trials, and especially the Games, are beyond the reach of most HS girls as well as boys. But those who meet the standards have great opportunities to aid their future development. The old refrain commonly expressed by coaches when their athletes move to the next level of competition - “The first time they go to watch, the next time to compete.”. Those who qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials weren't likely satisfied with just watching, but had experiences that should give them great advantage in the 2016 Trials and beyond.
U.S. high schoolers who participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials, Eugene, OR, June 21-July 1, and their results are:
Men’s 400 - Aldrich Bailey, 2012, Mansfield Timberview HS, TX; 5th of 26 (45.59) in preliminaries 6/22, qualified for semis 6/23; 14th of 15 (45.82) in semis, did not advance to final
Men’s Javelin - Sean Keller, 2012, Heritage HS, WA; 4th of 25 (253’0”) in preliminaries 6/23, qualified for the final 5/25; 8th of 12 (246'5") in final, 6/25
Women’s 800 - Ajee Wilson, 2012, Neptune HS, NJ; 15th of 32 (2:03.63) in preliminaries 6/22, qualified for semifinals 6/23; 14th of 16 (2:04.96) in semifinals 6/23, did not advance to final
Women’s 800 - Mary Cain, 2014, Bronxville HS, NY; 800 - 18th of 32 (2:04.11) in preliminaries 6/22, did not advance to semifinals
Women’s 800 - Amy Weissenbach, 2012, Harvard Westlake HS, CA; 800 - 25th of 32 (2:06.46) in preliminaries 6/22, did not advance to semifinals
Women's High Jump - Gabby Williams, 10, Reed HS, NV; 7th of 19 (6'0") in preliminaries 6/28; 5th of 13 (6'2.25", U.S. sophomore class record) in final 6/30
Women’s Discus - Shelbi Vaughan, 2012, Mansfield HS, TX; 4th of 24 (193’9”) in preliminaries 6/22, 4th of 12 (195'9", U.S. HS record) in final 6/24
Women’s Javelin - Haley Crouser, 2013, Gresham HS, OR; 11th of 24 (165'7") in preliminaries 6/29, qualified for the final 7/1; 7th of 12 (179'8") in final 7/1
Complete Olympic Trial results are at http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2012/U-S--Olympic-Team-Trials-TF/Results.aspx .
Please, if we’ve missed a HS athlete that participated in the Trials, please let us know at lknudson@milesplit.com.