Kansas track duo punch tickets to Tokyo Olympics

The U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials began in Eugene, Oregon last weekend and a couple of Kansas Jayhawks have already punched their tickets to Tokyo.

Christina Clemons – a volunteer KU track coach and wife of former KU track star and gold medalist Kyle Clemons – qualified for the Olympics after finishing third in the women’s 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.53 seconds.

At 31 years old, this was Clemons’ third attempt at the Olympics after failing to qualify in the 2012 and 2016 trials, in part due to an Achilles injury suffered in 2013.

She went viral on Twitter after wearing Doritos-themed earrings during the final race, hoping to catch the eye of the snack food giant.

Former KU track star Bryce Hoppel (age 23) was the other Jayhawk to qualify for Tokyo after finishing third in the 800-meter race with a time of 1:44:14.

Hoppel is one of the most decorated KU track athletes in school history.

While at Kansas, Hoppel won four Big 12 titles, was a five-time All-American and two-time national champion. Hoppel is also the school record holder in the indoor 800 meters and the second-fastest outdoors in the 800 meters.

Big things are expected out of Hoppel and he will be exciting to watch as the Tokyo Olympics begin July 23.

Kansas has had nine gold, five silver, and two bronze track and field medal winners (16 total) in school history. Hoppel has a great chance to be the next KU track alumnus added to that list.

Either way, Kansas fans should now have even more reason to watch the games with two fellow Jayhawks competing.

More Jayhawks could also be added to Olympic rosters by the end of this weekend.

Below is the schedule of the remaining KU track and field athletes competing in their respective country’s Olympic trials, courtesy of KU Athletics:

Sydney Conley (United States) – Long Jump

•         Thursday, June 24 (7:45 p.m. CDT) (Qualifying)
•         Saturday, June 26 (8:30 p.m. CDT) (Final)

Mason Finley (United States) – Discus

•         Thursday, June 24 (9:05 p.m. CDT) (Qualifying)
•         Friday, June 25 (5:30 p.m. CDT) (Final)

Ivan Henry (Jamaica) – 200, 400 Meters

•         Saturday, June 26 (5:45 p.m. CDT) (Semi-final)
•         Sunday, June 27 (5:45 p.m. CDT) (Final)

Michael Joseph (St. Lucia) – 400 Meters

•         Saturday, June 26
•         Sunday, June 27

KU thrower Gleb Dudarev has already earned a trip to Tokyo after qualifying to represent his home country of Belarus.

Keep an eye on the KU Track & Field Twitter account this weekend as more Jayhawks look to fulfill their dreams of competing in the Olympic games.