Nia Ali, a 2006 Pleasantville High School graduate, will compete in the 100-meter hurdle preliminaries today at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.
The U.S. trials began Thursday with just one event at the University of Oregon.
Most of the races and field events start today. Hopes and dreams will be tested over the course of the 10-day event as the top three finishers in each event will get to compete in the Olympics for Team USA at the Summer Games in London.
Ali enters her event having turned in the the eighth-best time this season -12.73 seconds. She will run in the third of five heats starting at 8:40 p.m. EDT.
Ali faces tough competition in the hurdles. In the short, explosive event, a minor mistake could make a difference in heading to London for the Summer Olympics. She will face Lolo Jones (12.67), Dawn Harper (12.47) and Kellie Wells (12.55).
If Ali makes it past the first round, there will still be two more rounds until she learns if she made the national team.
The semifinals for the 100 hurdles are set for Saturday at 5:15 p.m. with the final set to go at 8:45 p.m. EDT. NBC will televise the final.
Ali has been in California training for the Olympics since she graduated from the University of Southern California last year. Last June, she won the 100 hurdles at the NCAA Division I championships and placed fifth in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships later that month.
Contact Susan Lulgjuraj:
609-272-7187
