NEWS

Jayden Smith – Atlantic 10 photo

EUGENE, Ore. – Jayden Smith moved one step closer to making the United States Olympic team when he finished third in the second heat of the 110-meter hurdle trials on Monday night. Davidson’s most decorated track athlete ever ran his fastest time ever with a 13.37 in the opening round. 

Smith, who hails from Richmond, Va., ran the best race of his young career up against the nation’s best short hurdlers. The third-year Wildcat ran in lane one of the second heat alongside three runners that came with Olympic standard times. Smith held his own behind a great start out of the blocks. Smith grazed the second hurdle before hitting his stride down the stretch to earn a third-place finish. The three-time A-10 Champion crossed the line in a career-best 13.37 seconds (more accurately 13.365 for tie breaking). 

The Saint Christopher’s School product ended the opening round 14th out of the 36-man field and went through as the fourth-fastest athlete representing an NCAA institution. 

In the next round, the top two times from each heat plus the next three fastest times advance to the finals, and the top three finishers in the final will qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris.

Semifinal action will begin on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET. Start lists have not yet been released.