Planell Cruz Gains Experience At First Olympics
August 16, 2016 | Track & Field
RIO DE JANEIRO - Becoming the first Husky and first athlete from Puerto Rico to compete at the Olympics in the women's pole vault, Diamara Planell Cruz made her Olympic debut today at the Olympic Stadium in Rio. Her stay was not as long as she would have hoped for, as she did not advance out of the qualifying rounds, but the invaluable experience will help the UW and national record-holder set her sights on 2020.
Planell Cruz, who just five months ago was finishing her Husky career with a school record and third-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships, started the competition with the bar at 13-7 1/4. She made that opening height on one attempt. But three close attempts at the next height of 14-1 1/4 all dislodged the crossbar to eliminate Planell Cruz, who was the second Husky pole vaulter in the Olympics coached by Pat Licari along with former U.S. Champion Brad Walker.
Tomorrow, the other Husky alumni in Rio will enter the stadium, as Jeremy Taiwo is set to go in the first event of the men's decathlon, which starts at 5:30 a.m. Pacific time with the 100-meters.
Planell Cruz, who just five months ago was finishing her Husky career with a school record and third-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships, started the competition with the bar at 13-7 1/4. She made that opening height on one attempt. But three close attempts at the next height of 14-1 1/4 all dislodged the crossbar to eliminate Planell Cruz, who was the second Husky pole vaulter in the Olympics coached by Pat Licari along with former U.S. Champion Brad Walker.
Tomorrow, the other Husky alumni in Rio will enter the stadium, as Jeremy Taiwo is set to go in the first event of the men's decathlon, which starts at 5:30 a.m. Pacific time with the 100-meters.
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