University of North Carolina Athletics
Two Former Tar Heels Qualify For London Games
June 26, 2012 | Track & Field
EUGENE, Ore. - Two former Tar Heels will represent Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London after sucessful finishes at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. Shalane Flanagan and Alice Schmidt each finished in the top-three in their events to earn a spot to compete in London later this summer.
Flanagan, who qualified for the Olympics earlier this year after winning the marathon trials, finished third in the 10,000 but relinquished her spot on Team USA in that event to focus on the marathon. Flanagan was the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in the 10,000 and holds the American records in the outdoor 10,000 and indoor 3,000 and 5,000-meter events.
Schmidt ran 1:59.46 to take third in the 800 and qualifiy for her second Olympics. The former NCAA and USA champion in the event has competed in three World Championships as well.
Three other former Tar Heels competed at the U.S. Trials. Sheena Gordon, a former All-America jumper and NCAA champion for the Tar Heels, finished second in the women's triple jump with a leap of 45-4 1/2 which is also a personal-best mark. Brie Felnagle, also an All-America competitor at UNC, finished 24th on Monday in the 5,000 with a time of 16:13.34, and Addie Bracy, current volunteer assistant coach for the Tar Heels, placed 19th in the 10,000 in 33:14.12.
In addition to Flanagan and Schmidt, former Tar Heel Vikas Gowda will also compete at the London Games for India in the men's discus throw.
The 2012 Olympic track and field trials continue through July 1. For results and more information on Team USA, visit USATF.org.
Tar Heels at the Olympic Trials:
Addie
Bracy (current volunteer coach) – 10,000
Brie Felnagle – 5,000
Shalane Flanagan – 10,000
Sheena Gordon – Triple Jump
Vanneisha Ivy – 100-meter hurdles
Alice Schmidt – 800 and 1,500
Elizabeth Mott – 400 (Trinidad)
Tasha Stanley – 800 (Jamaica)
Players Mentioned
