The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Givans places 6th at Jamaican Trials
07.02.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Sprinter goes toe-to-toe with world record holder
EUGENE, Ore. – After a strong run during the first round of action at the Jamaican Olympic Trials on Thursday night, rising senior Senoj-Jay Givans kept his amazing season going on Friday with two more impressive runs.
Givans found himself standing next to world record holder Usain Bolt for their semifinal heat of the 100 meters on Friday. Givans blasted out of the blocks fast and held a lead over Bolt for much of the race before he just barely out-leaned Givans at the line.
Givans finished second in that semifinal heat in 10.05 seconds, just .01 behind Bolt's time.
The final of the men's 100 meters had some drama involved. Bolt announced he was withdrawing from the remainder of the meet due to an undisclosed injury. He would later reveal on Twitter he has a Grade One strain that he suffered at another recent meet.
With no Bolt in the race, one runner false started but was not eliminated from the competition. The race went on and Givans finished sixth with a time of 10.06 seconds.
Only three spots are available for Jamaica in the 100 meters. With Bolt withdrawing from the meet it is possible for him to appeal to be placed on the team. The Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association would ultimately make that ruling. Givans is eligible to be selected by the JAAA for the relay pool in the 4x100 as six runners may be selected. That decision is yet to be made.
One more Longhorn was in action at the Jamaican Trials and she ran a strong race to move on to the semifinals. Chrisann Gordon crossed in second in her heat of the 400 meters clocking in at 51.65 seconds. That time ranks second in the prelims.
Gordon will run in the semifinals in the evening and Givans is slated to run in the 200 meters on Saturday as well.
Players Mentioned
