Former Gator Hazel Clark Qualifies for Third Consecutive Olympics
Monday, June 30, 2008 | Track and Field
Former Florida track and field standout Hazel Clark (Livingston, N.J.) qualified for the third Olympic Games of her career on Monday evening, winning the women's 800-meter run in a time of 1:59.82 at the 2008 United States Olympic Track and Field Trials at historic Hayward Field.
Clark heads to Beijing after participating in the 2000 Sydney Games and the 2004 Athens Games. She becomes the fourth track and field athlete with Gator ties to have already qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games. She joins Kerron Clement (US - 400m), Tiandra Ponteen (St. Kitts – 400m) and Novlene Williams-Mills (Jamaica – 400m).
“It was all about the will to win at the end,” Clark said. “It was tough there at the end, but I was very excited. This is my third trials, third Olympic team and I have gotten first two times. That's a hard thing to do in this country, so I am very excited.
“It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to maintain over three Olympic Trials and make three teams,” Clark continued. “It is a dream come true to win and make the team. I think we are taking a really great team over there and I want to bring a medal back to this country.”
Sophomore Florida sprinter Calvin Smith (Lutz, Fla.) advanced to the finals of the men's 400-meter dash, finishing sixth in the semifinals in a time of 45.43. The finals of that event commences at 11:15 p.m. EDT Thursday.
“I felt good,” Smith said. “I got out pretty good and slowed a little bit on the second turn, but I just had to power through.”
Current Florida distance runner Lindsay Sundell (Fort Salonga, N.Y.) finished 19th in the semifinals of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase in a time of 10:19.57, but was unable to advance.
Complete daily coverage of current and former Gators in the 2008 U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials will be available at www.GatorZone.com.
CURRENT GATORS COMPETING ON MONDAY
Men's 400-Meter Semifinals
6. Calvin Smith – 45.43 Q
Women's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Semifinal
19. Lindsay Sundell – 10:19.57
FORMER GATORS COMPETING ON MONDAY
Women's 800-Meter Finals
1. Hazel Clark – 1:59.82
END OF REPORT
