We knew there was a chance, and now Ohio State track and field star Adelaide Aquilla has made the U.S. Olympic team. The OSU junior finished in third place late Thursday evening in the shot put at the U.S. Olympic Trials to make the squad that will compete in Tokyo.
Aquilla qualified for the finals in the shot put by finishing fifth overall in the first round Thursday afternoon with a best throw of 18.61m / 61-0 ¾.
She held second place after her first throw in the finals sailed 18.95m / 62-2 ¼. She was eventually overtaken and slotted down to third place but was able to hold on to a top-three finish despite a couple of faults to secure the dream of a lifetime.
And just like that, Adelaide Aquilla is going to the #TokyoOlympics!@usatf | #TrackFieldTrials21
📺 NBCSN/@peacockTV pic.twitter.com/txcKHnqney
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) June 25, 2021
Final Results – U.S. Olympic Trials
Shot Put
1. Jessica Ramsey – 20.12m / 66-0 ¼
2. Raven Saunders – 19.96m / 65-6
3. Adelaide Aquila – 18.95m / 62.2 ¼
It has been quite the year for Aquilla. Not only did she qualify for the Olympics, but she won the national titles in both the NCAA indoor and outdoor seasons, all while setting school and Big Ten records. She was also named Ohio State’s Female Athlete of the Year.
Perhaps all of those will be topped by the trip to Tokyo.
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