Sullins advances to hammer final at U.S. Olympic Trials
EUGENE, Ore. – Arkansas alum Erich Sullins was the first Razorback to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials on Friday at Hayward Field and the UA hammer record holder advanced to today’s final with a toss of 234 feet (71.32) during the qualifying round.
Sullins also becomes the first thrower from Arkansas to compete in the hammer at the U.S. Olympic Trials and completes the four throwing events that Razorbacks have contested at previous Trials, as well as every field event contested at the Trials.
Previous UA throwers to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials, dating from 1984 to 2008, include Marty Kobza (3 times in shot put), Scott Lofquist (twice in discus), as well as Ed Kaminski and Eric Brown (twice each in javelin).
With 24 throwers in the hammer field and divided up into two flights, Sullins was the second thrower of flight two. His first effort measured 222-11 (67.96), placing him 13th with the top 12 advancing to the final.
On his second attempt,
time in the first round, trailing only a 4:11.34 by Jenny Simpson, who won the first heat over Hiltz.
Gear finished ninth in the first heat with a time of 4:19.81, which served as the sixth and final time qualifier after the second heat was completed. After the third race was run, the final time qualifier for the semifinal became 4:14.80. Gear placed 27th overall.
Today, Gear will race again in the first round of the 3,000m steeplechase at 8:35 p.m.
Werner and Katie Izzo both ran in the same heat of the 5,000m. Werner finished sixth in the heat at 15:39.98 while Izzo placed ninth in 16:04.35. The time for Werner, who placed 14th overall, advanced to the final that will be held on Monday at 7:40 p.m. Izzo finished 19th overall.
Racing over 100m were Jada Baylark and Kiara Parker. Baylark posted an 11.21 (0.8 wind) for sixth in the first of four heats. Parker finished seventh in the third heat with an 11.25 (1.1 wind). The last time qualifier to the semifinal was 11.19 as Baylark and Parker placed 17th and 20th overall, respectively.