The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
U.S. Olympic Trials
Robinson, Spencer punch tickets to Olympic Games
07.10.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Hurdlers headed to Rio with Team USA
Texas Post-Meet Notes | Live Results
EUGENE, Ore. – The final day of the USATF Olympic Trials was arguably the best of the two weeks' worth of action for the Texas Longhorns. A total of six current and former Longhorns were in action and two of them put together silver-medal performances to qualify for Team USA and the Olympic Games this summer.
Ashley Spencer was the first Texas Longhorn to punch her ticket to Rio on Sunday running in the 400 meter hurdles. She crossed the finish line in 54.02 seconds for a new personal best and second place. That silver medal earned her spot on Team USA as she heads to her first Olympic Games. She said barely getting through the preliminaries helped to motivate her and achieve her goal.
"The first round was just terrible execution," Spencer said. "I took a deep breath and realized that I'm here for a reason. I didn't come here to just do one round of the 400 hurdles and that be all. I kind of gathered myself after the prelims and moved forward… I have nothing to lose and I want to be an Olympian. I wanted it so bad. I can't wait to represent my country in Rio."
Spencer made history at the Olympic Trials this year as she also competed in the 400 meters the first weekend of the meet. She finished seventh in that event and became the first woman ever to reach the final of both the 400 meters and 400 meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Texas Associate Head Coach Tonja Buford-Bailey said she was extremely proud of the effort Spencer showed over the two weeks and to see her reach her first Olympic Games.
"When we evaluated the schedule it looked like it was something we could manage," Buford-Bailey said of Spencer attempting her historic double. "We knew it was something she could do because those kids train really, really hard… I'm glad that she trusted me and believed in the process and I think that she's going to be better off as a result of it when she gets to Rio."
The Olympic performances were not through for Texas in the 400 meter hurdles.
Rising senior Byron Robinson was the only collegiate runner to reach the final of the men's 400 meter hurdles and he did not disappoint the fans.
With 100 meters to go Robinson was in fifth place as he went over the eighth of 10 hurdles. He still was in fifth after the ninth, but that's when he made his move and closed hard over the final hurdle and 50-meter sprint to the finish line. He over took three runners to finish in second place and make it to his first Olympic Games as well, clocking a new personal best 48.79 seconds.
"To be honest I don't even have words. I can't describe it. It's a life-long dream at 21. It hasn't sunk in yet," Robinson said. "I was just thinking no matter what I got to get to this finish line… Over the last two hurdles, I was thinking no matter what I'm getting over these last two hurdles and I'm going to make this team. Even if I had to die for it, I'm going to do it, and it paid off."
Buford-Bailey was not surprised by the result after seeing the work Robinson has put in during his workouts to prepare for these Olympic Trials and throughout the season.
"Byron takes 15 strides (between hurdles) the whole way, which means he has to be very conservative the first half of the race, not panic because you're not in the lead and start to move up at hurdle four," she said. "That was the plan and he did exactly what he was supposed to do, and that's what we've been working on all year."
Texas Head Coach Mario Sategna also said it was an amazing feat to witness to see a Texas Ex and a current Longhorn take silver in the same event at the Olympic Trials. That accomplishment is one that the entire University can be proud of as well as Buford-Bailey for the work she has put in to get those athletes to the Olympics.
"What can you say about Ashley," Sategna said. "She was the first ever to double. I'm happy for her, for her family. I'm also happy for Tonja. That's why she's at Texas in that being her forte being a three-time Olympian in the hurdles. I'm just happy for what this is going to mean not just being an Olympian for Ashley but what it's taken to get to this point.
"Byron, there's not another guy that has more fight. He never lost focus and never lost his passion or his drive. I knew when he got to the final, no matter what the lane was, I knew he was going to put himself in position and he ran a veteran-type race against a phenomenal field to make it to the Olympic Games."
Texas also had four alumni competing in distance event finals on the last day of the Olympic Trials and saw some impressive runs.
Leo Manzano was seeking his third Olympic bid but came up short by one spot in the 1,500 meters.
With 100 meters to go, Manzano went for his patented kick but just as he got shoulder-to-shoulder with Ben Blakenship for third place Manzano was not able to keep up with Blakenship's extra effort. Manzano finished in fourth place with a time of 3:36.62.
After battling sickness, a death in his family and another sickness that all caused setbacks in his training, Manzano was he was happy with how her performed although he would prefer going to another Olympic Games with Team USA.
"Considering everything I didn't even think I was going to make it out here, I'm happy with the result, obviously not content, but happy," Manzano said. "I thought I had him, but I think he saw me and got an extra boost. I just didn't have it. I had a really good race. I stayed out of trouble as much as I could. I look back at it and I just didn't have the wheels the last 50 meters."
Also running with Manzano in the final of the men's 1,500 meters was Kyle Merber. He finished in ninth place with a time of 3:40.27.
On the women's side Sara Sutherland also finished ninth in the 1,500 meters. She clocked in at 4:10.70.
Running in the women's final of the 5,000 meters was Marielle Hall. She had already qualified for the Olympic Games last weekend when she won bronze in the 10,000 meters. She was among a small group trying the 5/10 double and nearly made it to the Olympics in two events.
Hall hung with the lead pack throughout much of the race, sitting comfortably in fifth or sixth place and close on the heels of the leader until the final two laps. With 800 meters to go the eventual winner increased the pace and the lead pack of six runners left Hall behind by a few strides.
Hall would finish in seventh place with a time of 15:24.47. After the race, she said she was pleased to already be going to the Olympics but would have liked to performed better in her final race. She will use that as motivation for her training over the next month leading into the Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.
"I think every time you step on the track your last race is always what you remember. That's what sticks, and I'm definitely a little disappointed in that," Hall said. "I look at the whole weekend as one body of work so I'm a little disappointed with the last half. I'm capable of running with those women so I just have to go back so I can figure out a way to be there on the day."
With Spencer and Robinson grabbing spots on Team USA for the Olympics, that brings the total for the Texas Longhorns to five from the U.S. Olympic Trials over the last two weeks as they join shot put winners Michelle Carter and Ryan Crouser. Texas also had a pair of runners that could still be named to the relay pools for Team USA in Morolake Akinosun and Courtney Okolo. Those relay pools will be announced on Monday by the USATF.
"With any of these sons or daughters at any point in their career, whether they're currently in our program or they're Texas Exes, that's special," Sategna said of seeing Longhorns make the Olympic Team. "There are so many moving parts that make those things happen. As much as they are appreciative and happy for the opportunity, we're just as proud as a staff and me as a coach at what I consider the greatest place in America."
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