July 2, 2016
by Tony Jones
U.S. OLYMPIC T&F TEAM TRIALS SCHEDULE
ND ATHLETES IN 2016 OLYMPIC TRIALS
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame 10-time All-American and 2012 Olympian Molly Huddle (’06) will once again represent the United States on the world’s grandest stage later this summer. Huddle officially punched her ticket to the 2016 Olympics in Rio by winning the women’s 10,000-meter final on Saturday during the second day of competition at U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
Huddle, who placed 11th in the 5,000m in her first career Olympic appearance four years ago in London, ran the third-fastest U.S. time of 2016 in the 10,000m with her victorious heat of 31:41.62 at Saturday’s U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field. It was her second straight national championship in the 10,000m, following a final run of 31:39.20 at the 2015 USATF Outdoor Championships.
Three lovely ladies heading to Rio for USA!! #TrackTown16 pic.twitter.com/RBY1vsclna
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) July 2, 2016
Huddle remained among the top two runners in the field after surpassing the 400-meter mark, reclaiming the lead for good after 2,400 meters. Huddle extended her cushion in the final 400 meters, ultimately taking the win by more than four full seconds over runner-up Emily Infeld (31:46.09). Marielle Hall claimed the third and final Olympic qualifying slot in the race with a final time of 31:54.77.
One of seven track athletes with Notre Dame ties vying for Team USA berths into the Rio Olympics, Huddle is scheduled to compete in her signature event, the 5,000m, to become a multi-event qualifier. A two-time U.S. champion (2011 and 2014) and the American Record holder with a personal-best time of 14:44.76 (7/15/14) in the 5,000m, Huddle will race in the first round of 5,000m qualifying on July 7 at 7:20 p.m. (ET) at Hayward Field. The women’s 5,000m final is slated for July 10 at 7:28 p.m. (ET).
Stay tuned to UND.com for additional updates on Notre Dame athletes competing at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials.
Notre Dame At 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials (Eugene, Oregon)
W 10,000m Final (Top 3 Qualify For Rio Olympics)
1. Molly Huddle (31:41.62) – Second straight U.S. 10K Championship
2. Emily Infeld (31:46.09)
3. Marielle Hall (31:54.77)
4. Kellyn Taylor (32:11.29)
5. Laura Thweatt (32:26.21)
–ND–
Tony Jones, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since 2012 and coordinates all media efforts for the Notre Dame softball and men’s soccer programs. A native of Jamestown, New York, Jones is a 2011 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, and prior to arriving at Notre Dame held positions at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills.