Taylor Falls Short of Olympic Bid at U.S. Trials – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
July 10, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dan Taylor’s quest to gain a spot on the 2004 U.S. Men’s Olympic Track and Field Team came to an end Saturday evening in the final of the shot put at the U.S. Olympic Trials – Track and Field at the Alex G. Spanos Track Complex in Sacramento, Calif. The two-time NCAA champion for the Buckeyes reached 65 feet, 11 ? inches (65-11.50/ 20.10m) to take sixth place, missing the Top 3 standing in the event necessary to qualify for a berth in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Taylor (Middlefield, Ohio/ Berkshire), the youngest competitor in the trials field, was topped by a pair of former Olympic medallists in Adam Nelson of Team Nike, who claimed the silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and John Godina of adidas, who took the silver at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and bronze in 2000. Nelson reached 71-0 (21.64m) to record his second straight U.S. Trials title. Godina heaved a mark of 69-2 (21.08m) to finish third behind Reese Hoffa of the New York Athletic Club and his throw of 69-4.25 (21.14m).
Another Ohio State thrower competed in the women’s discus Saturday evening. Junior-to-be Amarachi Ukabam (Creve Couer, Mo./ Marquette) used her second throw of 180-10 (55.11m) to gain the seventh spot in her flight and No. 12 seed in the final set for 10:30 p.m (EDT) Monday.
No Athletes with Ohio State ties will compete Sunday. Robert Gary, Ohio State cross country head coach and assistant coach with track and field, will run in the semifinal of the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase at 10:55 p.m. (EDT) Monday. Gary was an Olympian in the steeple in 1996. Also on Monday, Ohio State junior thrower Keturah Lofton will join Ukabam in the throws area as she competes in the qualifying round of the women’s hammer throw at 5:30 p.m. (EDT).
NBC will broadcast live and taped events Sunday evening at 7 p.m. For complete U.S. Olympic Trials – Track and Field coverage and results visit www.usatf.org.
U.S. Olympic Trials – Men Shot Put Finals 1. Adam Nelson Nike 21.64m 71-00.00 FOUL 20.91m 20.60m FOUL 21.64m FOUL 2. Reese Hoffa New York Ath 21.14m 69-04.25 20.41m 20.98m 20.57m FOUL 21.14m FOUL 3. John Godina adidas 21.08m 69-02.00 20.40m 21.00m 20.96m FOUL 20.43m 21.08m 4. Christian Cantwell Nike 20.56m 67-05.50 FOUL FOUL 20.56m FOUL FOUL FOUL 5. Jamie Beyer Unattached 20.51m 67-03.50 FOUL 20.51m 19.72m FOUL FOUL 20.25m 6. Dan Taylor Nike 20.10m 65-11.50 18.65m 19.79m FOUL 20.10m 19.61m FOUL
U.S. Olympic Trials – Women Discus Qualifier Flight 1 1. Aretha Hill Nike 62.51mq 205-01 62.51m PASS PASS 2. Kris Kuehl Nike 60.08mq 197-01 49.74m 60.08m PASS 3. Gia Lewis Unattached 57.88mq 189-11 57.88m FOUL FOUL 4. Gina LoMonaco Unattached 56.74mq 186-02 FOUL 56.74m 51.49m 5. Seilala Sua Nike 56.47mq 185-03 56.47m FOUL 56.13m 6. Suzy Powell Asics 56.05mq 183-11 53.83m FOUL 56.05m 7. Amarachi Ukabam Ohio State 55.11mq 180-10 50.60m 55.11m 54.35m 7. Rachel Varner Unattached 55.11mq 180-10 55.11m FOUL 53.13m
