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Hahn Sets First-Day Team Record in Heptathlon 6/24/2004 Will End Event in Utah Today Seeking U.S. Trials Entry Provo, Utah – After completing the finest opening day of heptathlon events in her collegiate career, Vanderbilt junior Josie Hahn will attempt to strengthen a bid today to compete in the United States Olympic Trials during the final day of the BYU Pre-Trials Invitational. Hahn’s performance Wednesday afternoon included a school record-tying 6’0″ in the high jump, and seasonal bests in the 100-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash. She enters the second day of competition today in fourth place with 3,332 points. The leader, Tiffany Lott-Hogan, is one of the nation’s leading heptathletes and a strong candidate to make the American Olympic squad. Hahn, the reigning Southeastern Conference champion and a two-time All-American, currently ranks 24th nationally in the heptathlon. To compete in the upcoming Olympic Trials, Hahn needs to reach 5,675 points in the Utah competition. Hahn is currently 30 points above her 5,492-point total from the SEC Championships. That career-best performance provided Hahn a provisional mark for the trials. Hahn, a resident of Clinton, Tenn., can’t afford a letdown today. She completes the heptathlon with the long jump, javelin toss and 800-meter run. To secure a spot in the trials, limited to the top 15 Americans, Hahn will need to approach personal bests in all three events. There is reason to believe Hahn can substantially raise her total in the event. Though she set a Vanderbilt javelin record during the 5,492-point effort at the SEC Championships, that heptathlon performance was marred by a sub-par long jump of 17’1.5″. If Hahn approaches her personal best of 18’7.25″ in the event, she could add almost 150 points to her total. Hahn is one of four Commodores to ever win an SEC track and field event and is a three-time All-American. In addition to the javelin, high jump and heptathlon records, Hahn also holds Vanderbilt indoor marks in the high jump and pentathlon. |
