July 3, 2016
KINGSTON, Jamaica -
Former San Diego State track and field athlete and three-time NCAA champion Shanieka Thomas qualified for the Rio Olympics with a runner-up finish in the triple jump at the Jamaican Senior National Championship Sunday in Kingston, Jamaica.
Thomas came in second in the event with a wind-aided leap of 47 feet, 4 ½ inches (14.44m), just behind Kimberly Williams (wind-aided 48-01.25 (14.66m)). Her best mark came on her fourth of six attempts.
Thomas is the Aztecs' second Olympian in as many days, joining Whitney Ashley, who won the discus throw at the U.S. Olympic Trials yesterday. SDSU now has multiple track and field Olympians for the first time since it had four qualifiers in 1988. Thomas is the 14th Olympian in San Diego State women's track and field history. She's also the first jumper (high jump, long jump or triple jump) to make an Olympic team in Aztec women's program history.
The triple jump at the Rio Olympics will start on Aug. 13
SDSU will have two athletes in action next Friday at the U.S. Olympic Trials, including current sophomore Ashley Henderson in the 200-meter dash and Kristen Brown in the pole vault.
Jamaican Senior National Championships
National Stadium - Kingston, Jamaica
July 3
Individual Results
Triple Jump (out of 8 entrants)
1. Kimberly Williams - 48-01.25 (14.66m) (wind-aided) (qualified for Rio Olympics)
2. Shanieka Thomas - 47-04.50 (14.44m) (wind-aided) (qualified for Rio Olympics)