Sunday, July 1, 2012

Jessica Smith is headed to the London Olympics to compete in the 800-meter competition for Canada after finishing third in the Olympic trials in Calgary.

After setting the Olympic ‘A’ standard earlier this month with a time of 1:59.86 at the Harry Jerome Outdoor at Swangard Stadium, Smith needed a Top 3 finish Saturday at the trials in Calgary.

She finished the race at the trials in third place with a time of 2:07.70, behind Lemlem Ber Ogbasilassie of Saint Lauren who ran in a time of 2:07.37 and Melissa Bishop of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club who finished second with a time of 2:07.56.

Smith wrapped up her Clan career last fall by finishing second at the GNAC Cross Country Championships.

She capped off her collegiate track and field career with a GNAC Championship in the 800-meter in May, 2011.

Alaska Anchorage's Cody Parker finished eighth at the Canadian trials in the men's javelin.

Parker posted a toss of 203-10 (62.13 meters). A local of Comox, B.C., Parker entered the Canadian trials with a career-best toss of 241 feet, one inch (73.50), set July 23, 2011 in Miramar, Fla.

This past season with UAA, Parker posted a Great Northwest Athletic Conference mark of 232-5 (70.84).

In the U.S. Olympic Trials at Eugene, Brittany Aanstad of Seattle Pacific had a javelin throw of 148-4 to finish 24th.

The mark by the just-graduated Seattle Pacific star came on the first of her three attempts. She fouled on the second try, then went 148 feet even on her final throw.