Current and Former Virginia Tech Athletes Compete at 2012 Olympic Trials
By Ty Hodges
From the track to the pool, current and former Virginia Tech athletes are attempting to make their mark on American Olympic history by making the 2012 United States Olympic National team.
Today, Virginia Tech had five current and former athletes competing in the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. One of Virginia Tech’s most successful athletes ever competed today in the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Unfortunately for Queen Harrison, a member of the 2008 United States Olympic National team, the fates conspired against her today as she finished 10th overall with a time of 12.88.
In the same event Kristi Castlin, another former Hokie, finished in 12th place with a time of 12.93. Both Harrison and Castlin just missed the cut for the finals of the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
In the men’s competitions, Darrell Wesh and Keith Ricks both competed in the 100-meter dash. Ricks missed the cut during the preliminary round by one position, finishing 22nd out of a needed top-21 time. Ricks ran a very respectable 10.41 100-meter dash while Wesh finished 31st with a time of 10.64.
The last Hokie to compete in track and field today was Ronnie Black who competed in the high jump. Black finished 20th by clearing a height of 2.10 meters (6’10” 3/4).
In the pool today, five Virginia Tech athletes recorded impressive top-10 performances in the Olympic Trials.
In the men’s synchronized platform Ryan Hawkins and Logan Shinholser finished an impressive fourth place finish with a score of 1074.00. In the women’s synchronized 3-meter dive Logan Kline and Gabriella Agostino finished sixth place with a score of 742.20.
Shinholser also competed individually in the men’s platform and reached the finals of the event. Shinholser finished in fifth place after an impressive sequence of dives.
Kaylea Arnett and Michelle Cabassol competed in the women’s synchronized 3-meter dive with an 11th place finish. Arnett, the 2012 ACC Female Diver of the Year, also competed in the individual 3-meter dive and platform events.
Lastly, Kelli Stockton finished 22nd in the women’s individual platform.
As the 2012 Olympic Trials move forward, Fighting Gobbler will be keeping tabs on all of the Virginia Tech performers and their finishes.