Local athlete qualifies for Olympic Games by finishing second at Olympic Trials

Former Madison High and Utah State grad Chari Hawkins put herself in position to make the US Olympic team, finishing second in the heptathlon Monday at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Hawkins set a personal-best of 6,456 points but will have to wait to find out if she officially makes the US team since she just missed the Olympic qualifying standard of 6,480 points. That decision will likely be announced within the next week.

Hawkins was in second place after Day 1 of the competition, trailing only world No. 1 Anna Hall, who won the two-day competition with 6,614 points and topped the Olympic standard to earn her spot on Team USA.

Hawkins finished strong on Monday, placing second in the javelin with a personal best of 161-8 and then finishing with a PR of 2:14.76 in the 800.

The top three finishers in each event at the trials make the US team as long as they top the Olympic standard. Like Hawkins, several athletes will have to wait for USA Track and Field to finalize the list for the Olympic team. The Trails run through Sunday.

Hawkins is No. 12 in the latest world rankings.