Florida Track and Field's Smith Finishes Fifth at US Olympic Trials
Thursday, July 3, 2008 | Track and Field
Sophomore Florida sprinter Calvin Smith (Lutz, Fla.) finished fifth in the finals of the men's 400-meter dash in a time of 45.57 late Thursday evening at the United States Olympic Track and Field Trials at historic Hayward Field.
Smith expects to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games as a member of the U.S.'s 4x400-meter relay, despite not finishing in the top three of the 400m dash. Selection for the 4x400 relay generally includes the top six finishers in the 400m. Smith would become the second member of his family to qualify for the Olympics after his father, of the same name, won a bronze medal in the 100m at the 1988 Olympics.
It would mark the younger Smith's second trip to Beijing after competing in the IAAF World Junior Championships in 2006. The 2007 world outdoor silver medalist LaShawn Merritt claimed the 2008 Olympic Trials 400m title in a time of 44.00.
Smith would become the fifth track and field athlete with Gator ties to qualify for the Olympics, should he qualify in the 4x400. Hazel Clark (US – 800m), Kerron Clement (US – 400IH), Tiandra Ponteen (St. Kitts – 400m) and Novlene Williams-Mills (Jamaica – 400m) have already qualified.
Former Gator Shane Stroup (Highland, Md.) qualified for the semifinals of the men's 1,500-meter run, finishing in a time of 3:43.02. The semifinals of the 1,500m take place at 11:05 p.m. Friday.
Senior Natalie Moser (Tampa, Fla.) did not advance in the pole vault, after failing to clear the event's initial height.
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 IN COMPETITION ON THURSDAY
Men's 400-Meter Finals
5. Calvin Smith – 45.57
Women's Pole Vault Qualifying
--. Natalie Moser – NH
FORMER GATORS IN COMPETITION ON THURSDAY
Men's 1,500-Meter Quarterfinal
20. Shane Stroup – 3:43.02q
END OF REPORT
