July 1, 2016
EUGENE, Ore. -
Former San Diego State track and field standout Whitney Ashley advanced to the finals of the discus throw at the U.S. Olympic Trials Friday night in the qualifying flights in Eugene, Ore.
It only took Ashley, the top-ranked discus thrower in the U.S., one throw to move on to Saturday's finals. Her heave of 200 feet, 8 inches (61.16m) was the best mark of the day out of 28 entrants, bettering fellow Nike representative Stephanie Brown Trafton by 1 feet, 3 inches (199-05 (60.79m)).
Ashley, a 2012 NCAA champion in the event while competing for the Aztecs and a two-time IAAF World Championships qualifier, will look to clinch a spot in her first-ever Olympic Games tomorrow at 10:45 a.m. PT. Having already reached the Olympic standard, Ashley will have to finish among the top three to move on to Rio.
U.S. Olympic Trials
Hayward Field - Eugene, Ore.
July 1-10, 2016
Individual Results
(q = qualified for finals)
Discus Throw (out of 24 entrants)
1. Whitney Ashley (Nike) - 200-08 (61.16m)q