SDSU ALUMNI WHITNEY ASHLEY AND SHANIEKA THOMAS SET FOR RIO OLYMPICS

Former Aztecs to compete in discus throw and triple jump, respectively

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo:  Whitney Ashley (right) and Shanieka Thomas (left) via goaztecs.com

August 10, 2016 (San Diego) - San Diego State track and field alumnae Whitney Ashley and Shanieka Thomas will compete at the Rio Olympics this weekend in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ashley qualified for the Olympics by winning the discus throw at the U.S. Olympic Trials in July, while Thomas punched her ticket with a runner-up finish in the triple jump at the Jamaican Senior National Championships.

Ashley and Thomas are the first Aztecs to make an Olympic team since Marla Runyan ran the 5,000 meters in 2004. Additionally, SDSU has multiple track and field Olympians for the first time since it had four qualifiers in 1988.

Thomas kicks things off for the former San Diego State student-athletes, competing in the qualifying flights of the triple jump on Saturday at 9:40 a.m. BRT (5:40 a.m. PT). The finals, meanwhile, are scheduled for Sunday at 8:55 p.m. BRT (4:55 p.m. PT). Heading into Rio, Thomas is ranked sixth in the world with a leap of 47 feet, 9 ¾ inches (14.57 meters).

Thomas finished her SDSU career in 2014 as a three-time NCAA triple jump champion (2013-14 outdoor, 2014 indoor) and a two-time runner-up finisher (2012 outdoor, 2013 indoor). She was a seven-time USTFCCCA All-American and nine-time MW champion.

Ashley gets things going in the qualifying flights of the discus throw on Monday at either 8:30 p.m. BRT (4:30 p.m. PT) with the “A” flight or 9:50 p.m. BRT (5:50 p.m. PT) with the “B” side. The discus final is slated for 11:20 a.m. BRT (7:20 a.m. PT) on Tuesday. She enters the competition ranked in a tie for 11^th in the world with a mark of 212-00 (64.62m).

Ashley won a 2012 NCAA title in the discus throw while at San Diego State, while also being named a four-time USTFCCCA All-American and a five-time MW champion.

2016 Rio Olympics

Olympic Stadium | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Aug. 12-21 (Former SDSU athletes compete from Aug. 13-16)

Discus Throw

T-11. Whitney Ashley (Nike) - 212-00 (64.62m)

(Qualifying - 8:30 p.m. BRT (4:30 p.m. PT) or 9:50 p.m. BRT (5:50 p.m. PT) on Monday, Aug. 15)

(Finals - 11:20 a.m. BRT (7:20 a.m. PT) on Tuesday, Aug. 16)

Triple Jump

6. Shanieka Thomas - 47-09.75 (14.57m)

(Qualifying - 9:40 a.m. BRT (5:40 a.m. PT) on Saturday, Aug. 13)

(Finals - 8:55 p.m. BRT (4:55 p.m. PT) on Sunday, Aug. 14)