EUGENE, Ore. – Two of LSU Track & Field’s finest came up just short in their quest for an Olympic berth during Saturday’s action at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials as former Tiger star Walter Davis took third place in the triple jump and Lady Tiger junior Kimberlyn Duncan claimed fourth place in the 200-meter dash in finals held at historic Hayward Field.
Davis called it a career in his final triple jump competition as one of the elite performers of his generation after opening with a best of 54 feet, 9 ¼ inches to capture the bronze medal.
But despite his third-place finish in the competition, Davis needed to eclipse the Olympics “A” qualifying standard of 56-5 ¾ to earn his ticket to London as a member of Team USA. This former World Champion has twice represented the United States at the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004.
“I’m done. That was my last triple jump at USAs, my last triple jump ever. I’m retired,” Davis said in his post-meet press conference. “I just wanted to come out and get the ‘A’ standard. I knew that is what I had to do. I just wanted to try to go out there and do the best that I could do to get it. If I would’ve done what I was supposed to do on my first two jumps, I feel like I would have gotten the standard.”
Reigning World champion Christian Taylor took the U.S. Olympic Trials title after opening with his mark of 57-10 ¼, while World Championships bronze medalist William Claye scored the silver with his opener of 57-7 in the first round. Neither attempted a jump in the finals.
After wrapping up a brilliant two-year collegiate career in 2002 as a six-time NCAA champion as an LSU Tiger, Davis was crowned the World triple jump champion in 2005 before also winning the bronze medal at the World Championships in 2007 to highlight an illustrious professional career.
Taylor even referred to Davis as “my idol” in the press conference while recognizing his influence for the past decade as the flag bearer of the event in the United States.
“Jumping against those two guys, I haven’t jumped against that caliber of athlete in this country in quite a long time,” Davis said. “I’m glad I can pass the torch on to two really good guys like this. It is going to be interesting to see what they do in London. I hope they come back with the gold and silver. I wish them all the best and continued success in their careers. It’s great to watch them go out and compete.”
Duncan wrapped up Saturday’s action by lining up in a women’s 200-meter final that certainly lived up to its reputation as the most competitive event at this year’s U.S. Olympic Trials.
Duncan just missed earning her spot on Team USA after crossing the finish line in fourth place with a run of 22.34 behind 400-meter champion Sanya Richards-Ross (22.22) for that coveted third and final spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Three-time World champion Allyson Felix shattered the Olympic Trials record in a world-leading time of 21.29, while Carmelita Jeter finished in second place in 22.11.
Duncan, who was named a repeat finalist for The Bowerman on Friday, improved upon her fifth-place for the 200-meter dash at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships a year ago.
“I just tried to go out there and execute the race as best I could and make it in the top three. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do that, but I’m still excited that I was able to make it this far and get this type of experience,” Duncan said. “I knew these ladies were going to come out here and push me. This is the best event in this meet, and it’s great for me to be here and get this kind of experience.”
LSU senior Barrett Nugent saw his U.S. Olympic Trials run in the 110-meter hurdles come to an end with an appearance in the second of three semifinal heats on Saturday afternoon.
Nugent fired out of the blocks and cleanly cleared the first three hurdles before hitting the fourth hurdle of the race. He fell back into sixth place midway through the race, and wasn’t able to fully regain his rhythm as he crossed the finish line in fourth place in his heat with a time of 13.49 (+1.2). Aries Merritt claimed a heat win in 13.01, followed by Antwon Hicks (13.22) and Tyron Akins (13.37).
Former South Carolina national champion Jason Richardson was the fastest semifinal qualifier as he won the third and final heat in 12.98 (+1.5) with what was a short-lived U.S. leader.
Merritt became the new 2012 world leader in the final as he earned his trip to London with blistering time of 12.93 (+1.2) ahead of Richardson’s repeat run of 12.98.
“I had it, but unfortunately the hurdles got in my way,” Nugent joked after his race. “I got out really fast. I probably had my best start of the season, but I crushed that fourth hurdle. I didn’t do a good job of getting my trail leg up right there. I recovered a little bit, but just didn’t have enough time left to make it.”
Lady Tiger senior Cassandra Tate will wrap up the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials for LSU with Sunday’s finale as she lines up in the final of the women’s 400-meter hurdles. The 2012 NCAA champion will run in lane No. 1 after advancing from the semifinal round with the second-fastest run of her career in 55.77. The final of the women’s 400-meter hurdles is slated to run at 6:02 p.m. CT.
NBC will feature a live broadcast for Sunday’s finale at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials from 6-7 p.m. CT as the final members of Team USA will earn their ticket to London.