Former Demons Fall Short at Olympic Trials

EUGENE, Ore. - Former Northwestern State All-Americans Trecey Rew Hoover and Samantha Ford Hatten fell short Friday at the USA Olympic Track and Field Trials in their efforts to earn berths on Team USA for the upcoming London Olympic Games.

Competing in the finals of the women's shot put, and again throwing in a steady, cool rain, Hoover finished 11^th among the dozen finalists with a 54-0 best mark. Hatten, throwing in the 24-woman javelin qualifying round, was 18^th at 155-0 and did not advance to Sunday's final.

Hoover  needed to throw 55-10 3/4 to be among the eight contestants in the ensuing final round of the shot put. Her 2012 and career best is 58-8, which would have finished sixth on Friday. The top three finishers made the Olympic roster:  Jillian Camarena-Williams (62-10 ), Michelle Carter (60-11 ), and Tia Brooks (60-2).

Hatten, eighth at the 2008 Olympic Trials, needed a 164-8 mark to be among the 12 finalists Sunday. She warmed up well with throws that would have advanced her, said NSU women's coach Mike Heimerman, but wasn't able to get a strong mark in the round of three throws Friday.

Hoover was a three-time All-America shot put and discus thrower for the Lady Demons, winning the 2011 NCAA discus championship. Hatten was a 2003 javelin All-American. Both have graduated.