COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland track and field program has been represented across the globe this summer, as several Terps have competed or are set to compete in their respective nation's Olympic qualifier events. Seven current and former Maryland athletes, in addition to an incoming freshman have gotten the opportunity to wear their country's colors in championship events in North America, Africa and Europe.
The 2016 Summer Olympic games are set to run from August 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Qualification for Athletics (Track and Field) end on July, 11 2016.
African Championships (June 22-26)
Recently graduated senior Chioma Onyekwere of the class of 2016 took home a pair of bronze medals this past week at the African Senior Championships June 22-26. The Nigerian national had a successful first professional meet, taking in third in the discus with a mark of 53.91 meters before again reaching the podium with a throw of 15.71 meters in the shot put.
Onyekwere earned her way into the Championships with a pair of personal-best marks at the Big Ten Championships May 13-15. She went on to qualify for the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships June 8-11.
British Championships (June 24-26)
Rising sophomore Greg Thompson competed in the British Championships June 24-26 at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. Thompson placed sixth in the discus with a throw of 54.81 meters after serving a redshirt year with the Terps this past season.
U.S. Olympic Team Trials (Junly 1-10)
A trio of Maryland alumni is in the mix to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene Oregon July 1-10 at historic Hayward Field. Adam Durham ('08) is qualified for the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 49.20, which currently ranks ninth in the field. Amina Smith ('14) is qualified for the high jump with a mark of 1.85m. Smith was a 2014 All-American for the Terps in the high jump, and now competes for the Adidas Garden State Track Club. Heptathlon athlete Kiani Profit ('12) is back for her second Olympic Trials after finishing 16th in 2012. Profit was a three-time All-American at Maryland.
Canadian Championships (July 7-10)
Rising senior Micha Powell is qualified to compete at the Canadian Championships July 7-10 in Edmonton in the 400 meter dash. Powell is fresh off a breakout season for the Terps on the track, breaking both the indoor and outdoor 400 meter records while qualifying for the NCAA Championships both seasons.
The Toronto, Ontario native holds the third fastest qualifying mark (51.97) in the field, after clocking the time at the NCAA East Championships May 26-28. Powell will run on Friday July 8 in the 400m qualifying round and again at 8:00 pm in the semifinals if she advances. The women's final will be held Friday, July 8 at 6:50 pm.
Incoming freshman Dallyssa Huggins will also be in action at the Canadian Championships looking to qualify for the world junior team. The future Terrapin multi athlete has reached qualifying marks in the 800m (2:10.72), the 400m hurdles (1:01.42 and high jump (1.78m).
2015 Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year Thea Lafond ('15) will look to punch her ticket to Rio competing under the flag of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Lafond previously competed for Dominica at the 2015 Pan American games in both the triple jump and high jump, finishing 13th (1.80m) and 12th (13.35m) in the events (respectively).
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