SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Olympic dreams are coming true at Hayward Field, and some of those dreams happen to be orange.
The U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field are underway in Eugene, Oregon all week long. The top three finishers in each final will make the U.S. team to the Paris Olympics.
Some athletes have punched their tickets to Paris already. Noah Lyles won the men’s 100-meter final Sunday night in 9.83 seconds; Kendall Ellis set a personal best of 49.46 to win the women’s 400m; and Kenneth Rooks defended his U.S. title in the men’s steeplechase in 8:21.92.
Syracuse University has some representation at the meet as well. Two Orange alumni compete tonight.
Freddie Crittenden III (Class of 2017) is slated for the 110m hurdles prelim. A multi-time indoor 60m national champion, Crittenden looks to make Friday’s semifinal. He has made national and world championship finals before and hopes to add Olympian to his resume. Monday night’s race kicks off at 8:05 p.m. EST, and he’ll be in the second heat.
Recent SU graduate Madison Neuner will race in the 3000m steeplechase prelim. Neuner took silver at the ACC Outdoor Championships and competed at the East Regional Championships. A breakout race at the Portland Track Festival secured Neuner’s spot in the trials. Catch their race at 8:59 p.m. Monday.
Later this week, Amanda Vestri (Class of 2023) will toe the track for the women’s 10k. Aidan Tooker (Class of 2021) already competed in the men’s steeplechase, placing 28th.