KU Track & Field Closes Out U.S. Olympic Trials with Two Strong Finishes
July 1, 2012
Complete Results | Kansas Agate 
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EUGENE, Ore. – Freshman Michael Stigler finished seventh in the final of the men’s 400-meter hurdles Sunday afternoon on the eighth and final day of the U.S. Olympic Trials at Historic Hayward Field. Also in action was junior Andrea Geubelle, who placed 11th in the final of the women’s long jump.
Stigler was the youngest of eight runners in the 400-meter hurdle final and was one of only two collegiate athletes to compete in the event Sunday evening. The 19-year-old out of Canyon, Texas notched the sixth-fastest time in both the preliminary and semifinal rounds in the two days prior to the final and was looking for a top-three finish for a trip to London and the 2012 Olympic Games.
Running in lane eight, Stigler began strong through the first 150 meters, holding the stagger against several of the top hurdlers in the world. He lost some ground as he made his way around the final curve, clipping the eighth hurdle and heading into the final 100 meters in eighth place.
As he had done in the two previous races, Stigler utilized his strong kick down the home stretch to pass one runner on his way to the finish. He crossed the finish line in seventh with a time of 50.63.
Earlier in the day Geubelle, who claimed bronze in the triple jump last Monday, began her second event final of the week, competing as one of 12 athletes in the women’s long jump final. The University Place, Wash., native, saved her best for last, launching herself to a mark of 6.29 meters (20-7.75 ft.) on her third and final leap. The jump was not long enough to move Geubelle into the top eight and earn her three additional jumps, keeping her in 11th place, where her day eventually ended.
Both Stigler and Geubelle will have a chance to earn Gold for the U.S. in the NACAC U23 Championships next weekend in Mexico.
KU track & field will now turn its attention to the international stage as the Jayhawks will have athletes in action across the world over the next two weeks. Kansas will send a strong contingent to the NACAC U23 Championships in Guanajuato, Mexico to compete for the U.S. July 6-8. Freshman Casey Bowen will also suite up in the red, white and blue as he is slated to compete in the pole vault at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain July 10. Log on to KUAthletics.com and follow on twitter at KU_Track for news, results and updates of Jayhawk performances over the next two weeks.
