Tokyo team representing the United States to be selected during the 10-day event beginning on Friday, June 18 held at the historic and recently renovated Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon; 2016 Olympic Trials Champion, Barbara Nwaba, announces retirement
Eugene, Ore. (June 16, 2021) – It has been a long, extended wait for the athletes looking to represent the United States at the Tokyo Olympiad. Beginning on Friday, June 18, Track & Field athletes will have their opportunity to reach this pinnacle over ten days at the USA Olympic Team Trials held at the historic and recently renovated Hayward Field.
Representing the Santa Barbara Track Club (SBTC) in the Women's Heptathlon will be Juanita Webster-Freeman who's inspirational story has taken her from an Asperger’s Syndrome diagnosis at a young age, to coming off of her first 6,000-plus point performance (6,006pts) in the event. She is ranked 10th on the Olympic Trials qualifying list and has the 7th best performance in 2021.
In the Men's Decathlon, Timothy Ehrhardt, the reigning USA Indoor Champion (2019), enters the competition ranked 8th in both the qualifying (8,066pts) as well as 2021 performance lists (7,901pts).
The first multi-event of the Olympic Trials will be the Men's Decathlon (10 events) kicking off on Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20, while the Women's Heptathlon (7 events) will be held on the final weekend of competition on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27. Qualifying for the Olympic Games will require the following of the competitors:
Top 3 athletes in each event with the Olympic Qualifying Standard (Decathlon = 8350pts / Heptathlon = 6420pts). If one of the top 3 does not have the standard, then it goes to the highest finisher who does.
Qualify by virtue of the World Athletics Ranking Position should the top three spots above not be filled. The list of qualifying athletes will be published on July 1.
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HEPTATHLON PREVIEW
New faces abound in the Women's Heptathlon, with only Kendall Williams returning from the 2016 Olympic Heptathlon team. Williams leads the American women in 2021 with 6,383pts, the 4th best score in the world. Webster-Freeman, who in her personal best performance of 6,006pts earlier this year, was consistent but did not log any top marks, can move up the standings with strong performances in the field events.
Notably absent is SBTC's Barbara Nwaba FitzSimons, the defending 2016 Olympic Trials Champion and Rio Games Olympian, 2016 World Indoor Championship Bronze Medalist and 3-time USA Champion. After showing promising marks to return to the Olympic Trials, Nwaba FitzSimons announced her retirement earlier this year after an injury kept her from completing the 7-event Heptathlon discipline.
The SBTC was launched with Nwaba FitzSimons in 2012 and along with leaving an incredible mark in USA Track & Field through her performances and leadership, she also mentored countless local athletes through SBTC's Youth Track program.
DECATHLON PREVIEW
Similarly for the Men, only one athlete, Zachery Ziemek, returns from the 2016 Olympic Decathlon squad. This marks the first time since 2008, that the field will be without 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist and former World Record Holder, Ashton Eaton.
Leading the Men is Garrett Scantling with a 8,476pt personal best performance achieved in April, also ranked 4th in the world. Ehrhardt enters the field as one of the best multi-event Pole Vaulters in the world and is separated by less than 300pts to 3rd ranked Ziemek who has a qualifying best score of 8,344pts.
About the Santa Barbara Track Club
The Santa Barbara Track Club (SBTC) hosted at Westmont College aims to provide a pathway to the podium for athletes of all ages and abilities. The SBTC is comprised of Olympic and aspiring Olympic Track & Field athletes, a Youth Track Club as well as community members seeking to reach their highest potential through group and private training.