Livingston College graduate runs for spot on U.S. Olympic track team

SALISBURY, N.C. — Livingstone College graduate Quanera Hayes will make her first attempt at earning a spot on the United States Olympic team tonight when she will compete in the 400 meters at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Hayes is attempting to become the school’s first graduate to compete on a U.S. Olympic team. The Olympics will be held Aug. 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro.

“I feel that Quanera has a great chance to make the U.S. Olympic team as an individual and as a finals relay member,” head coach Justin Davis said.

Davis has coached Hayes for the past five years.

Davis said back in April that Hayes ran an amazing time in the Bahamas to place her in the top three in the world in the 400 meters.

“She comes in with the second fastest time this year in the U.S. in the 400 meters, and given the fact that she now has one full year of professional competition under her belt, I feel she’ll be able to get through the rounds very well and make the U.S. Olympic team,” he said.

Hayes is also competing in the 200 meters this weekend.

Track and field athletes will be vying for top-three finishes and spots on the U.S. team through July 10 in Eugene.

Cox Media Group