EUGENE, Ore. – Six current and former Harvard track & field student-athletes took center stage at Hayward Field for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, as five Crimson advanced to the next step towards Paris in their respective events.

The evening began with the men's high jump, as first-year Tito Alofe orchestrated an excellent showing. A two-time NCAA All-American in the high jump, Alofe advances to the final after clearing the bar at 2.14m (7'.25") and 2.19m (7'2.25").

On the track, Gabby Thomas '19 took the next step towards Paris in the first round of the women's 200m. Running in lane two in the fourth and final heat, Thomas earned an automatic qualifying spot in the 200m semifinals after winning the heat with a time of 22.11.

With the hurdles on the track, senior Aaron Shirley ran in the opening heat of the men's 400m hurdles first round. An NCAA All-American in the 400m hurdles, Shirley qualified for the 400m with a fourth place finish in the first heat, posting a time of 50.44. On the women's side, junior Chloe Fair secured a spot in the women's 400m hurdles semifinals with a time of 57.26 in the first round.

In the men's discus first round, Sam Welsh '22 took part in the second flight, as the Lunenburg, Massachusetts native finished in 19^th place with a throw of 57.46m (188'6").

The night concluded with the men's 5,000m semifinals, as junior Graham Blanks competed in the first heat. A native of Athens, Georgia and a two-time first team All-American in the outdoor 5,000m, Blanks qualified for the 5,000m final with a time of 13:35.00, a season-best for the 2023 NCAA Men's Cross Country national champion.

UP NEXT:
Shirley and Thomas will return to competition tomorrow night at Hayward Field for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. All the action will stream live on Peacock.

HARVARD AT THE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS:

Friday, June 28
9:21 PM: Men's 400m Hurdles Semifinals (Aaron Shirley)
10:06 PM: Women's 200m Semifinal (Gabby Thomas)

Saturday, June 29
8:27 PM: Women's 200m Final (Gabby Thomas '19)
8:41 PM: Women's 400m Hurdles Semifinals (Chloe Fair)

Sunday June 30
6:30 PM: Men's High Jump Final (Tito Alofe)
7:30 PM: Men's 5,000m Final (Graham Blanks)
8:20 PM: Men's 400m Hurdles Final (Aaron Shirley)
8:29 PM: Women's 400m Hurdles Final (Chloe Fair)