Five Iowans Move to the Semifinals in U.S. Olympic Trials

(Eugene, OR) – At the U.S. Olympic Trials, multiple Iowans are now heading to the semifinals and the finals to see who will be going to Paris to represent the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Multiple athletes competed in yesterday’s Olympic trials and now look to get back into action in the finals in just a few days.

In the Men’s 800-meter, Darius Kipyego of Iowa State earned fourth with a time of 1:47.18 to advance to the semifinal round. Jumping over to the Women’s 1500-meter, Alexina Tubel, formally of UNI and Mount Vernon-Lisbon HS, will be advancing to the semifinal round after running the 1500-meter in 4:07.66. Continuing with semifinal candidates, Brittany Brown ran in the Women’s 200-meter in a season-best time of 22.29 to advance to the semifinal round. Jumping long in the Women’s Long Jump was Sydney Willits of Iowa State after jumping 21-3 1/14 and is now heading to the semifinals. Kenny Bednarkek of Indian Hills Community College and former 2021 Olympic Silver Medalist, ran in the Men’s 200-meter and earned a time of 20.28 to move to the semifinal. Lastly, Courtney Lindsey, formally of Iowa Central Community College, will also advance to the Men’s 200-meter semifinal after earning a time of 20.28.

Going to the other semifinal races and events, Jamal Britt of Iowa will not advance to the finals after running 13.32 in the Men’s 110-meter Hurdle semifinal race. Tionna Tobias of Iowa will also not advance to the finals after earning 24th and jumping 19-8 in the Women’s Long Jump. With the Men’s Discus, Reno Tuufuli, formally of Iowa, will not advance to the finals after throwing 189-10. In the Women’s 400-meter Hurdles, Erin Dowd, formally of Iowa, will not advance to the semifinals after running 58.41 seconds. Lastly, in the Men’s 200-meter dash, former UNI Panther Brandon Carnes will not advance to the semifinal after running 20.92.

In the finals, Kat Moody of Iowa University and Waukee High School earned 12th overall in the Women’s Discus with a throw at 168-4.