The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials started out with a bang — well, a thud — on Thursday, June 21, with the “Hammertime” hammer throw event at the Nike Campus in Beaverton, Ore. Athletes from around the country gathered in front of a crowd of 3,000, hurling and heaving their way to the London. By the end of the day the teams had been decided. Amber Campbell, Amanda Bingson and Jessica Crosby will represent the American women while Kibwe Johnson and A.G. Kruger will showcase the men’s talents. Amanda Bingson of UNLV was a dark horse in the competition, coming out of nowhere to throw a mere two centimeters away from first place, setting a personal best at 71.78 meters. For the men the defending National Champion Kibwe Johnson and three time Olympic team member A.G. Kruger came as no surprise, though, like the women, Chris Cralle came out of the blue to get second — though he did not reach the Olympic “A” standard in the competition window to become eligible for the London games.
Stay tuned to DailyEmerald.com for the latest in 2012 Olympic Trials coverage. Here are a few selects from yesterday.
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