Bassett, Meadows Earn Chance at Olympic Trials

[Trojan2003]

Bassett, Meadows Earn Chance at Olympic Trials

-> http://www.troytrojans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17200&ATCLID=1498342

EUGENE, Ore. - Junior O'Darien Bassett and senior Tawanna Meadows have earned an opportunity to compete in the United States Olympic Trials this week at historic Haywood Field.

Bassett will attempt to qualify for the finals of the competition beginning Friday afternoon, with the finals slated for Saturday afternoon. The junior will be chasing a United States championship, along with a coveted spot on the United States Olympic Team in the long jump for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Meadows will try and run her way to a spot on the Olympic team in the 100-meter dash. She will enter the qualifying stages on Friday afternoon, with the semifinals on Friday night and the finals on Saturday.

The Trials can be seen on the USA Network Friday night and on NBC over the upcoming weekend.

[VT Trojan]

I saw Bassett warming up today but did not see Meadows. Tawanna did not make it out of the first round, finished 30th over all. Not sure how O'Darien finished. Here is a link to check up on. http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-TF/schedule.asp
** O'Darien advances to the next round!! way to go TROJANS!!

[Mike Cunningham]

I'm sure VT can back me up on this, but OD looked a TON better today then he did at the DI championships.

He's going into the finals with the 9th best jumps (everyone starts from scratch Sunday though).

While it's still a long shot for him to make the Olympic Team (look for it to take better than 8.15m), it would be awesome for the Trojan Nation for him to make the actual finals on Sunday.

GO TROJANS!!!

mc

[O2MAN]

I watched the whole thing on USA network and never saw him?

[Mike Cunningham]

As much as I love the Long Jump and love even more the Trojans, I'm afraid that the TV isn't going to show every jump of the competition and especially ain't showing a good ole boy from Troy.

Sunday during the LJ competition, I wouldn't count on seeing him either unless he makes the top three. TV will be too busy showing the running events.

mc

[Trojan2003]

Bassett Leaps Into Finals At Trials

http://www.troytrojans.com//pics21/322/RO/ROQCCAIUMKHNEFJ.20080611174713.jpg

-> http://www.troytrojans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17200&ATCLID=1504365

EUGENE, Ore. - Troy University junior O'Darien Bassett jumped his way into Sunday's final of the long jump competition of the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field late Friday night.

Bassett, the top collegiate athlete left in the field, jumped a distance of 7.89 meters to finish ninth after the preliminaries and gain a spot in the finals. The junior found himself on the outside-looking in before his last jump of the night. Going into his last jump, Bassett was in 17th place with a jump of 7.63 meters. However, Bassett's last jump had the junior checking the scoreboard to see if he qualified for the finals until the distance of 7.89 meters (25'10 3/4") appeared on the scoreboard, securing his spot in the finals.

The leader in the event is Miguel Pate of Nike, with a distance of 8.24 meters. The top three finishers in the event earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2008 Olympics in Bejing.

The finals of the long jump competition take place Sunday afternoon at 3:15 pm and can be seen on NBC's coverage of the event at 7 pm Sunday night.

[JonesOxygen]

OD came in 10th place out of 13, he missed out on the Olympics. That was the only part of the Olympics I will see.

[VT Trojan]

I actually got to talk to O'Darien yesterday after his event while I was waiting for my athlete to come out of the media zone for the 400 hurdles. He was not very happy with his performance but I still let him know that we were all proud of him for making as far as he did.

[Mike Cunningham]

Yes we are! And to add to my Trojan memorabillia, I have OD signed my book of four tickets from the Trials.

He did good!!!!


On a side note, VT's athlete did a remarkable job (amazing job!) and qualfied for the Olympic's in the 400 hurdles. Congrats!

mc