July 14, 2004

By Alex Tam Oregon Daily Emerald

EUGENE, Ore. (UWIRE) -- After claiming to have a slight chance of making the U.S. Olympic Team, Oregon redshirt junior Sarah Malone inched one step closer to fulfilling the ultimate goal of a track and field athlete.

Malone, Oregon's school record holder in the javelin, finished second in the javelin final at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Sacramento, Calif., on Sunday.

The Newberg, Ore., native tossed 177-11 on her sixth and final attempt, which was less than 5 feet behind the winner and current American record-holder Kim Kreiner (182-7).

"My goal was to be in the top three, so it feels really good," Malone said. "I looked over at Lance (Deal, an Oregon assistant coach) before my last throw and we have our own sign language system. He signed a few things and helped me compose and relax myself, and I was able to get a good one off."

In order to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team and compete in Athens starting August 20, Malone needs to meet the Olympic 'A' qualifying standard of 198-5 by August 8.

According to the USA Track and Field selection procedures, the United States can take up to four athletes from each track and field event to the Olympics as long as they meet the Olympic 'A' qualifying standard.

Despite never having thrown 180 feet, Malone said she is proud of what she accomplished on the nation's biggest stage.

"I may not have the 'A' standard, but that doesn't minimize how I did," Malone said. "It's been a long season with the collegiate meets thrown in, I knew making the team was a longshot."

This past track season was very successful for the 22-year-old Malone. She finished third (178-01) at the NCAA Championships, second (171-05) at the Pacific-10 Conference Championships and also broke her own school record (179-7) at the Texas Relays in early April.

On Sunday, Malone made her second appearance at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. She competed in 2000 as a high school senior. Back then, she finished eighth in her flight (156-11).

Malone said that experience of knowing what to expect helped her this year and is already eager about her prospects of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in China.

"When I was here a high school senior in 2000, I was much more nervous," Malone said. "[Sunday] was more fun since I have more experience throwing against these people. I'm looking forward to 2008 and trying to win a spot on the team that goes to China."

Oregon's other representative at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, however, did not fare as well. Freshman Tommy Skipper missed advancing to the men's pole vault final after finishing 14th overall in the preliminaries and needing three attempts to clear 17-8 1/2. Skipper would have qualified for the event final if he cleared the bar on one of his first two tries.

Strong crosswinds proved to be the deciding factor and made things difficult for the pole vault competitors, who had a short one minute window between each attempt, Skipper said.

"The crosswinds were really bad," said Skipper, who was the youngest competitor in the field at 19 years old. "It was difficult for the time we had to jump to get a good wind. "When guys are only jumping 17-8 and making the final, it's indicative of the wind. It screwed me up just like everybody else. When that happens, you're not able to relax."

Skipper said he will have to get used to the conditions in Sacramento, as the NCAA Championships will take place there in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

"I have to learn to jump in windy crosswind conditions like this and find meets during the regular season that emulate Sacramento," Skipper said. "NCAAs are going to be here for three years and I won't be able to control the conditions then, either."

The Sandy, Ore., native will now look forward to time off after a record-breaking 2004 season, which saw him become the NCAA and Pac-10 champion in the pole vault. Skipper also won the Pac-10 decathlon in his first time ever competing in the event. In late May, he also broke the school and Pac-10 records in the pole vault at 18-10 1/4.

Skipper said he will now enjoy some time off to forget about his performance in Sacramento and then prepare for next season.

"I can't worry about [the trials]," Skipper said. "I have to go out and jump higher next year and do better at the big meets. That means I'll have to work harder in practice to help meet those goals."