Ready for Rio: Three Zips to compete in the games
Three Zips are competing for Olympic glory in Rio. Here's what you need to knowNEW TV SPOT SALUTES OUR OLYMPIANS
Three Zips are competing for Olympic glory in Rio. Here are their stories:
SHAWN BARBER
Event: Pole vault
Dates: Saturday, Aug. 13, and Monday, Aug. 15
Country: Canada
While at Akron: Earned three NCAA titles, two indoor (2014, 2015) and one outdoor (2015), gold medalist at the 2015 Pan American Games, and six-time MAC champion (2015 outdoor, 2015 indoor, 2014 indoor, 2014 outdoor, 2013 indoor, 2013 outdoor). More.
Quote: “(It’s) every pole vaulter’s dream as well to participate in the Olympics. It will be the cornerstone of my athletic career,” Barber said in an Ohio.com profile.
Fact: Sports Illustrated picks Barber to win the gold.
Time machine: "The Physics of Pole Vaulting": In a 2013 video, the technique of Shawn Barber is discussed by then-UA physics student Eric Copenhaver and UA track and field head coach Dennis Mitchell.
CLAYTON MURPHY
Event: Men's 800 meters
Dates: Friday, Aug. 12, Saturday, Aug. 13, and Monday, Aug. 15
Country: United States
Quote: "It is an honor to be on the Olympic team," said Murphy after the U.S. Olympic Trials. "What an experience! What I was able to accomplish today just has not soaked in yet."
While at Akron: 2016 NCAA outdoor 1,500-meter champion and NCAA indoor 800-meter champion, 2015 800-meter gold medalist at Pan American Games, 13-time MAC champion in the 800 meters, the mile, 1500 meters, the 4x400 relay and the DMR relay. More.
Fact: No American has medaled in the 800 meters in 24 years, though USA Today likes the chances of the U.S. team comprised of Murphy, Boris Berian and Charles Jock.
Don't miss: How an Ohio Pig Farm Raised an Olympian
ANNIKA ROLOFF
Event: Pole vault
Dates: Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19
Country: Germany
While at Akron: Roloff captured the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field title in the women's pole vault with a jump of 14-5.25 (4.40m). She placed third at the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships with a school-record mark of 14-7.25 (4.45m). Additionally, she owns the Akron outdoor women's pole vault record eclipsing 14-5.50 (4.40m). More.
Quote from UA head track and field coach Dennis Mitchell: “What a great honor for Annika. It was exciting watching her progress this year. She is a very tough competitor and it will be fun to see what she does in Rio. This is a big deal for our program to have our last three Zips' NCAA Champions become Olympians."
Roloff competes at the 2013-14 NCAA Outdoor Championships. (Photo: Phil Johnson)
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