EUGENE, Ore. – With her first throw of the javelin on Friday, Stanford's Virginia Miller did something her father had never done, compete at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.
Her father, Foss Miller, was among the top javelin throwers in country in 1968, but an injury prevented him from competing in the two U.S. Trials events, in Los Angeles and at Echo Summit near Lake Tahoe.
That first throw was something that both could share, 52 years after Foss had come so close. With her father looking on at Hayward Field, Miller threw 161-3 (49.15 meters) to open the qualifying round. That distance was enough to advance her to Saturday's final.
Miller became the third member of the 2021 Stanford team to advance to a final at this meet, following Julia Heymach, who was sixth in the women's 1,500, and Keyshawn King, who was 12th in the men's triple jump.
Miller was unable to improve on her second or third throws, but qualified 11th overall for the final, which begins at 5:30 p.m.
The day, however, did not go as well for Sean McGorty '17. Among the favorites in the 3,000 steeplechase final despite being in his first year in the event, McGorty placed seventh in 8:27.05. Only the top three make the Olympic team.
In the women's 800 semifinals, Rebecca Mehra '16 ran a season best 2:01.33, but was fifth in her section. Only the top three earned automatic advancement to the final and the second section produced the two timed qualifiers. Mehra was 0.14 from the final qualifying time.
On Saturday at 10 a.m., four alumnae competed in the 10,000 final -- Sara Bei Hall '05, Elise Cranny '18, Vanessa Fraser '17, and Fiona O'Keeffe '20. Cranny already won the 5,000 at this meet.
Also, among current Cardinal, Charles Hicks runs in the British national championships in the men's 5,000 and Aria Small competes in the women's long jump at the Barbados national championships.
Sean McGorty (white shirt) competes in the steeplechase final. Photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport.
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U.S. Olympic Trials
At Hayward Field
(Results of 2021 Stanford athletes and alumni)
Men
3,000 steeplechase final – 7, Sean McGorty (Nike/Bowerman TC) 8:27.05.
Women
800 semifinals – 11, Rebecca Mehra (Oiselle/Littlewing Athletics) 2:01.33.
Javelin qualifying – 11, Virginia Miller (Stanford) 161-3 (49.15m) (q).
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Stanford's Schedule
Saturday (June 26)
TV: NBC, 6-8 p.m.
(9:35 a.m. PT – British championships, men's 5,000 final (Charles Hicks)).
10 a.m. – Women's 10,000 final (Sara Bei Hall, Elise Cranny, Vanessa Fraser, Fiona O'Keeffe).
(1 p.m. PT – Barbados championships, Women's long jump final (Aria Small)).
5:30 p.m. – Women's javelin final (Virginia Miller).
Sunday (June 27)
TV: NBC, 4-5:30 p.m.
10 a.m. – Men's 5,000 final (Grant Fisher, Garrett Heath, Thomas Ratcliffe).
(1 p.m. PT – Barbabos national championships, women's triple jump final (Aria Small)).