Two athletes qualify for Olympic try-outs

By Keith Thomas
Summer Editor

Two members of the women's track and field team will be attempting to lengthen their season this weekend at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Thrower Serene Ross and jumper Carri Long have both qualified to take part in the Olympic tryouts on July 14, and coach Ben Paolillo said that regardless of how they finish, the experience alone will be beneficial in the future.

"This time they're going as much for the experience as anything," Paolillo said. "But, in 2004 they could have legitimate chances to make the Olympic squads."

Both Ross and Long do, however, have a chance to make solid showings in their respective events, according to Paolillo.

"Both of them have a real good shot of finishing in the top 10," said Paolillo.

Ross will be attempting to qualify for the Games in the javelin and Carri Long will be trying to mark well enough in the high jump to make the Olympic squad.

According to Paolillo, one disadvantage that the Boiler duo has is age.

"They're both relatively young, when comparing to the athletes that actually make up an Olympic sqaud," Paolillo said.

The experience, however, is important for Ross, a junior, and Long, who just finished her Purdue career.

"They're both the types of kids that will probably compete beyond college, so the experience is a great opportunity," said Paolillo.

One factor that adds to the difficulty of trials, according to Paolillo, is the fact that these two athletes have already had a very long season of competing and working out.

"The hard part is that it makes for a long season for collegians," said Paolillo, who added that the post-collegians only begin working out at the highest level a month before the competition.