July 8, 2016
EUGENE, Ore. – Georgia Tech track & field freshman Bria Matthews competed in the finals for the triple jump at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Thursday night. Matthews finished 12th with a leap of 13.04m. The top three finishers who meet the qualifying standards join Team USA in Rio.
“Bria had a terrific meet at the Olympic trials. This is an extremely hard meet to qualify for and for her to get here in two events is absolutely amazing as a freshman,” said women’s track and field assistant coach for jumps, Nat Page. “We hope that she can continue this level of competition through the World Junior Championships in Poland this July.”
At the U.S. Olympic Trials on Monday night, Matthews qualified for the finals in the triple jump with a 13.48m mark in the qualifying round.
Matthews’ summer continues at the World Junior Championships July 19-24 in Bydgoszcz, Poland, where she will compete in the long jump and the triple jump.
“Trials this year has been an extraordinary experience. Being around so many great athletes has boosted my motivation to a whole new level,” said Matthews. “My new mindset came at a perfect time seeing as I have Junior’s coming up in less than two weeks. I’m excited and more than ready for my trip to Poland and to experience international competition.”
Former Yellow Jacket Jonathan Gardner competed in the qualifying round of the men’s triple jump Thursday night as well. His mark of 16.03m was not enough to push him into the finals, finishing 14th.
The Jackets will be represented in Rio by former track and field athlete Chaunte (Howard) Lowe, who will be competing in her fourth Olympic Games in the high jump. She punched her ticket with a 2.01m mark in the high jump on Sunday, nabbing the top spot in the finals.
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