WILMINGTON, N.C. – Former UNC Wilmington track and field standout Anna Raynor is in Eugene, Ore., doing what she has been so successful at since she began college. With a qualifying mark of 53.77 in the javelin, Raynor will compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials Saturday through Monday (June 28-30) at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.

Raynor, from Benson, N.C., begins her quest for an Olympic berth at 12:45 p.m. Saturday in the qualifying round. If she advances, Raynor will compete in the finals Monday at 8:20 p.m., with the top three finishers reaching their goal of making the Olympic team.

In the qualifying, throwers must meet one of two standards: the ‘B’ standard of 56 meters and the ‘A’ standard of 61 meters. Select television coverage will be provided on the USA and NBC networks.

“I’m really excited to be here, “Raynor said. “It’s a chance of a lifetime. I’ve been working really hard all season and it’s time for it to all come together. Hopefully I’ll get a big thrill, it only takes one throw.”

Amazingly, Raynor first threw a javelin when she entered UNCW and the 23-year-old has excelled with the apparatus. Representing her track club, Klub Keihas, Raynor has prepared for the trials by training in Chapel Hill, N.C., five days a week.

No stranger to success, Raynor racked up numerous awards and honors during her career with the Seahawks. She competed in three NCAA Championships and still owns five school records. The 2007 graduate finished among the top three in the nation at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships last year.

“Even though she has graduated from UNCW, it’s still a great honor for our university and program for her to represent us, “ said Seahawk track and field coach Jim Sprecher. “Obviously, she had a great collegiate career and this is her big chance to see what she can do on the world stage.”

Raynor Comes Up Short

Former UNC Wilmington Track & Field All-American Anna Raynor finished 14th overall but was unable to advance to the finals of the Javelin Throw at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field on Saturday.

Raynor, who now throws for Klub Keihas, opened her appearance with a throw of 157-0 1/4, placing her 11th in the 23 person field. Her second throw came up short at 146-10 1/2, but she closed out her meet with her best throw of the competition with a toss of 157-04.

Dana Pounds of the U.S. Air Force won the trials with a 187-10. 

-Courtesy UNCW