U.S. Olympic Trials Set to Begin

CLEMSON, S.C. — Seven athletes with Clemson ties, including current senior Tevin Hester, will compete in the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., from July 1-10. The trials serve as the qualifying competition for the upcoming Olympic Games. The top three finishers in each event who also meet the qualifying standard will be part of Team USA’s roster in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

All eyes will be on 2013 world champion Brianna Rollins in the women’s 100 hurdles. A three-time NCAA champion at Clemson, she won The Bowerman in 2013 as the National Track Athlete of the Year. Rollins set the American record with a time of 12.26 at the 2013 USA Championships, a mark that was broken earlier this year by a former teammate.

Rollins is ranked No. 2 in the world currently with a season best 12.53. She was the USA gold medalist during indoor season in the 60 hurdles and silver medalist at the IAAF World Championships. She is second in the prestigious Diamond Race in the 100 hurdles as well.

Also competing in the hurdles are a trio of former teammates — Spencer Adams, Justin Johnson and Marcus Maxey. A five-time All-American for the Tigers, Adams earned his first berth in the IAAF World Indoor Championships after winning a silver medal in the 60 hurdles at the USA Championships in March. Adams enters the trials with a season-best 13.44 in the 110 hurdles.

April Sinkler is entered in the women’s triple jump, having posted a season-best 45-4.5 in May. Sinkler won eight ACC championships, tied for fifth-most in Clemson women’s track & field history, from 2008-12.

Miller Moss qualified in the decathlon with a total of 7,822 points. Moss, a 2011 senior, is Clemson’s career record-holder in the event.

The only current athlete making the trip to Eugene is Hester, who will be competing for the final time in his decorated career as a Tiger. Hester is slated to compete in both short sprints. He currently ranks 13^th in the world in the 200 after running 20.13 in a gold medal ACC performance in May.