The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Marshevet Hooker becomes third women's track athlete to qualify for 2008 Olympics
07.06.2008 | Track & Field / Cross Country w, Track & Field / Cross Country
EUGENE, Ore. -- Former University of Texas sprinter Marshevet Hooker recorded the third fastest time in the 200-meter earning her a spot on the 2008 Olympic squad. Hooker clocked in at 22.20 qualifying her to compete for the United States this summer in Beijing.
Hooker finished just four-tenths of a second behind top performer Allyson Felix (21.82) in a tightly contested race. Muna Lee placed second with her time of 21.99.
"All I remember is pushing my chest forward because I knew that was going to get me in the race," said Hooker. "I felt relief, I felt joy, I felt blessed and then I felt the sting," she added after seeing she qualified.
The four-time NCAA Champion started the 200-meter trials off strong, claiming the second fastest time overall (22.74) and capturing her heat in the quarterfinal round. In semifinal action, she finished two-hundredths of a second behind fellow Longhorn Bianca Knight for the fourth fastest overall time.
Knight, the 2008 NCAA Indoor 200-meter Champion, also competed in the final event finishing in 22.25 for fifth place honors.
Hooker will join former UT athletes Michelle Carter (shot put) and Sanya Richards (400-meter) in Beijing later this summer.
Nichole Denby, the 2004 NCAA Outdoor 100-meter hurdles champion, also competed on the final day of the trials, finishing in 12.62 for fourth place honors.