July 2, 2008

www.siusalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois jumper Bianca Stuart won the long jump at the 2008 Bahamas Olympic Trials, while former Saluki Ty-Nica Davis made it to the semi-finals of the 800-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Trials over the weekend.

Stuart jumped 21-04 (6.50m) to take the meet title at Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas, June 27-28. Her title does not qualify her for the Bahamas Olympic Team, but has until July 18 to qualify for the team by jumping the set Olympic qualifying standard. She made the team for the Senior Central American and Caribbean Track and Field Championships schedule for July 4-6 in Cali, Columbia

Nyles Stuart, a former Saluki track and field athlete, jumped 24-10.50 (7.58m) in the men's long jump at the Bahamas Trials.

At the U.S. Trials, Davis ran 2:05.26 in the prelims of the 800-meter run to advance to the semi-finals. In the second round, she ran 2:03.22 to finish ninth, just missing finals.

Other athletes that train at SIU included Dan Taylor and Colleen Scott. Scott finished 15th in the women's triple jump with a leap of 43-11.25 (13.39m) and Taylor finished fourth in the men's shot put with a best toss of 68-03 (20.80m).

Brittany Riley is the final athlete to compete at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. She will compete in the qualifying round of the women's hammer throw July 3 at 6 p.m.