Hoosiers take shot at Athens

A large contingent of former and current IU athletes traveled to Sacramento, Calif., to compete in this week's U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials.\nMany of the Hoosier elite have used strong performances during the Big Ten's 2004 outdoor season to train for the Trials, but an IU alumna and women's track and field graduate assistant coach is making the most noise from the Hoosier hopefuls. \nRose Richmond, who graduated from IU in 2003, qualified for the finals in the long jump competition Monday. Richmond's leap of 6.38 meters put her in ninth place overall going into tonight's final. Richmond's jump of 6.38 is a tenth of a meter shy of 2000 Bronze medalist and all-world track athlete Marion Jones' mark of 6.39, which places the controversial athlete in fifth place heading into the finals. \nRichmond is no stranger to top-notch competition, earning All-American honors twice and winning the 2001 and 2003 Big Ten Outdoor long jump championship. \nThe top three finishers in the long jump who have successfully met the Olympic "A" qualifying standard will be named to the U.S. Olympic team. The "A" standard for the long jump is 6.70 meters. If Richmond makes the team, she would need to improve her preliminary jumps.\nCurrent Hoosier All-American David Neville competed in the preliminaries of the 400-meter event Sunday and placed 17th overall in the field of 28. But the freshman's time of 45.69 seconds was just short as the top 16 finishers to advance to the semifinals. Neville's 2004 Olympic dreams haven't been completely dashed yet, however. He will compete in the qualifying rounds of the 200-meter Friday.\n"I believe that if it is God's plan for me, then I have a chance at qualifying in the 200," Neville said.\nBob Kennedy, a two-time NCAA cross-country champion while at IU, dropped out of the 10,000-meters with foot pain. Kennedy, who holds the American record at 5,000-meters, was a favorite to advance to Athens.\n"My body's getting older, and it's very frustrating," Kennedy told reporters after the race.\nFormer IU heptathlete, DeeDee Nathan, dropped from third to fifth in the 800-meters, which was the final event of the heptathlon, and barely missed a trip to Athens. \nTwo recent IU graduates -- long distance runners Tom Chorny and Tom Brooks -- competed in the semifinals of the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Chorny finished 21st with Brooks following in 22nd place. \nAnother current Hoosier track star, senior Aarik Wilson, will attempt to achieve his Olympic aspirations in today's qualifying round in the triple jump. Wilson, IU's school record holder in the event, is coming off a stellar junior campaign, which culminated in his runner-up finish at the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Championships last month. Wilson's season has been geared entirely toward qualifying for the Olympic team. A clutch performer, Wilson is a definite contender for a top-three finish.\n"The goal for that kid is to make the Olympic team," IU coach Randy Heisler said.\nTwin IU standouts Sean and John Jefferson opted out of the Olympic Trials 1,500-meters. Sean had a long and highly successful year that included an NCAA title in the indoor mile, while brother John battled injuries for the majority of the year. \n-- Contact staff writer Rob Dewitte at rdewitte@indiana.edu.