Russell Advances to Finals at Canadian Olympic Trials

July 3, 2008

WINDSOR, Ontario (Canada) – Competing at the Canadian Track and Field Olympic Trials in his hometown, former KU great Scott Russell moved a step closer Thursday evening to realizing his dream of participating in the summer games.

A member of the Windsor Legion Track and Field Club, Russell posted a throw of 74.33 meters in the preliminaries of the Men’s Javelin Throw 800g to earn him a spot in the finals. His throw was second-best behind Nery Gustavo Kennedy (76.66 meters). Ten others will join Russell and Kennedy in Saturday’s finals, which begin at 4 p.m. CDT.

Russell was a member of the Jayhawk track and field squad from 1998-2002. He was a two-time NCAA Individual Champion, a six-time All-American and an eight-time conference champion while at KU.

Russell was named Jayhawk of the Year three times, in 1998 and 2002 for field competitors and in 1999 for track athletes. He was an Academic All-American in 2002, and received the Dr. Robert E. Fredrick Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year award in 2001-02.