The University of Akron Athletics
Trio of Former Zips Primed to Take Olympic Stage
August 10 | Track & Field
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron will be well represented as action gets underway in track in field at the XXXI Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, beginning on Friday, Aug. 12, as former Zips' All-Americans Shawn Barber, Clayton Murphy and Annika Roloff will be in competition.
"What a great and deserving honor for each of these athletes," University of Akron head track and field coach Dennis Mitchell commented. "This is what every track and field athlete dreams of being able to do. We are fortunate to have three being able to represent their country at the biggest sports festival. This will be a treat for the Zips fans. For eight days, the Zips will be able to follow their own on this big world stage. I am definitely excited."
Making his Olympic debut representing Canada, Barber, the defending 2015 IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Outdoor Champion and second-rated men's pole vaulter in the world, enters the qualifying rounds of competition on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 7:20 p.m. ET, as one of the medal favorites.
"What can you say about Shawn Barber," said Mitchell. "He is the defending world champion and now he has a big target on his back. That could also be said for his two closest competitors Renaud Lavillenie and Sam Kendricks. The world champion in Barber, Lavillene, the world-record holder, and Kendricks, the best in the U.S., will make for a great matchup. All three could win this, it will be an intense one."
"Shawn has had a two very good weeks of training in Akron," explained Mitchell. "This was needed after a several months of world wide traveling and competing."
The finals of the men's pole vault will be contested on Monday, Aug. 15, at 7:35 p.m. ET.
Ranked 21st in the world in the 800 meters, Murphy is set to make his Olympic debut representing the United States after capturing the 800-meter title at the U.S. Olympic Trials on July 4 in Eugene, Ore., with a winning time of 1:44.76.
The quarterfinals of the 800 meters at the XXXI Summer Olympics will be contested on Friday, Aug. 12, at 9:10 a.m. ET. The semifinals will be held on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 9:08 p.m. ET. The Olympic final in the 800 meters will be run on Monday, Aug. 15, at 9:25 p.m. ET.
"Clayton Murphy has proven that he may be the best middle-distance runner in the country," stated Mitchell. "The next challenge is to see where he sits on the world stage. He has prepared himself well to make it through all three rounds. As young as he is, he is big-time veteran of international competitions. It will be an exciting three days for Zips fans watching him go through each round."
Rated 33rd in the world in the women's pole vault, Roloff also will be making her Olympic debut representing Germany.
A two-time first-team All-America honoree as a Zip, Roloff captured the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field title in the women's pole vault with a jump of 14-5.25 (4.40m). She placed third at the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships with a school-record mark of 14-7.25 (4.45m). Additionally, she owns the Akron outdoor women's pole vault record eclipsing 14-5.50 (4.40m).
"I have always been amazed how Annika Roloff has continued to come through in big competitions," Mitchell commented. "She did it for the Zips in MAC and NCAA championships. She did what she needed to do at her national championships and then later defended it clearing 15' plus. She is always fun to watch. Her first big challenge will be getting through the very competitive preliminary round. She did it at the European Championships and I expect she will do it here as well."
The qualifying rounds in the women's pole vault at the Olympics will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 8:45 a.m. ET. The finals of the pole vault will be contested on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
TELEVISION/STREAMING SCHEDULE
**Rio is located one hour ahead of the Eastern time zone, with this in mind, many of the over-the-air broadcasts on the NBC family of networks may be shown on a tape-delay basis**
***The streams of events are expected to be live, although this is not guaranteed***
****Television coverage subject to change, click here for streaming page****
FRIDAY, AUG. 12
Men's 800-Meter Quarterfinals (9:10 AM ET)
Television – NBCSN
Stream – Click Here
SATURDAY, AUG. 13
Men's Pole Vault Qualifying (7:20 PM ET)
Television – NBC
Stream – Click Here (Group A)
Click Here (Group B)
Men's 800-Meter Semifinals (9:08 PM ET)
Television – NBC
Stream – Click Here
MONDAY, AUG. 15
Men's Pole Vault Final (7:35 PM ET)
Television – NBC
Stream – Click Here
Men's 800-Meter Final (9:25 PM ET)
Television – NBC
Stream – Click Here
TUESDAY, AUG. 16
Women's Pole Vault Qualifying (8:45 AM ET)
Television – NBCSN
Stream – Click Here (Group A)
Click Here (Group B)Â
FRIDAY, AUG. 19
Women's Pole Vault Final (7:30 PM ET)
Television – NBC
Stream – Click Here
