D3 Athletes on the Big Stage
What it means to see D3 athletes at this level
As the sport continues to grow and evolve, it’s never been tougher to make teams at almost every level, and the US Olympic team is arguably the hardest team in the world to make. Despite how challenging it was, you saw D3 athletes in the mix in nearly every event.
Noticing all the contenders for the podium and Wilkinson’s now Olympian status validates the underdog mentality of many D3 athletes who know that D3 isn’t a question of talent, but a question of patience, cultural fit, and investment. Simply put, this was an inspiring meet and one that will persuade goals of the overlooked to be faster, higher, and farther. We can’t wait to see the impacts of this meet.
Matt Wilkinson Embodies the Olympic Dream
“Am I dreaming? Somebody wake me up. I can’t believe it.” This is what Matt Wilkinson said to Lewis Johnson after taking second in the steeplechase final, and we were wondering the same thing.
Wilkinson took advantage of a tactical opening kilometer of 3:00 to be in the right position when BYU’s Kenneth Rooks broke the race wide open. Wilkinson closed with a blistering 2:35 last kilometer to take second, which had us ecstatic. With his second place finish, he continued an inspiring progression, from overlooked high school athlete to D3 national champion to D1 All-American to professional athlete to Olympian. He embodies the underdog mentality that fuels the dreams of many D3 athletes. If you are like other D3 athletes and have chronic underdog syndrome, Matt Wilkinson just validated those thoughts. Or perhaps it recalibrated what you thought was possible.
Annie Rodenfels takes her shot
The women’s steeplechase final was arguably one of the best track events of the Olympic Trials. The U.S. all-time list got a big update as 9 women secured new personal bests, and the championship record was smashed. A lot of credit should go to Centre College alum Annie Rodenfels, who led from the gun. In a post race interview, she cited her unique approach to the barrier. She told the media, “I don’t want to impede everyone else. I know that it’s not great form…I’m not trying to ruin other people’s races.” However, she also needed the Olympic standard and she needed a fast pace in order to secure it. She opened with a kilometer of 3:00.53 by herself to set the stage for her and the rest of the field to make history. She finished eighth in the end, but she also walked away with a 3 second personal best of 9:22.66 and the Olympic standard, showing other D3 athletes that there's value in taking your shot. It just might lead to a historic moment.
Sam Blaskowski is Ready for the Big Stage
Sam is no stranger to success on the track, especially this past historic year that included national records, multiple championship titles, and an appearance at the USATF Indoor championship. It appears these experiences seemed to have prepared him for an Olympic Trials environment. He was right in the mix, advancing to the semi-finals in both the 100m and 200m. Like many other athletes, this was his debut and Sam Blaskowski saw his first Olympic Trials as a learning opportunity when speaking with the media, the results showed he was ready to be there. There was no question that he belonged there and that he was seen as a peer in the field. From following Blaskowski’s career and how he speaks on his training, it’s clear Blaskowski’s D3 roots at UW-La Crosse have prepared him well to compete on the largest stage possible in track and field. With this new experience under his belt, we will naturally be paying attention to what comes next for him.
Many Alumni within Striking Distance of the Podium
D3 Alums didn’t just compete at this high stage; several across many events secured top-10 finishes.
Roger Steen and Tyler Williams represented D3 throws well as Trials veterans. At his third Olympic Trials, UW-Eau Claire alum Roger Steen placed 6th overall in the men’s shot put with a mark of 21.51m and secured the Olympic standard. This was his second top-10 finish at a U.S. championship and his third Olympic Trials appearance. Widener alum Tyler Williams was even closer to the podium in his return to the Trials, finishing 4th place in the men’s hammer throw with a mark of 76.55m (251-1 feet)! SUNY Cortland alum Jack Flood finished in 5th place in the men’s decathlon with a personal best of 8178 points. North Central alum Luke Winder tied for 6th place in the men’s pole vault final with a height of 5.62m, and Westminster alum Marissa Kalsey finished 8th overall in the women’s pole vault final. Kyle Rollins tied for 6th place in the men’s high jump with a height clearance of 2.21m.
National Champions take on Rest of the Country
Many national champions currently in the collegiate system also debuted at the Olympic Trials and took on the rest of the country at the trials. In addition to Blaskowski, D3 outdoor and indoor triple jump champions Cole Goodman of Rochester and Shelvin Garrett II of UW-Whitewater finished 21st and 22nd in the triple jump with distances of 15.14m and 14.98m, respectively. 400m outdoor champion Eric Gregory had a trailblazing debut for deaf runners with a time of 45.79 in the preliminary rounds. An honorary mention goes to national runner up Davian Willems, who made his Trials debut in the 100m with a time of 10.44. As these athletes mature and get more experience at this level, the future is bright. Eric Gregory himself has said he isn’t done quite yet.