Helena’s Derrick Olsen made his first appearance at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Monday in the 110 hurdles at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The Helena High and Montana State graduate finished the third heat in 13.97 seconds for seventh in his heat and 31st overall. The top six from each heat advanced to the semifinals along with the top three time qualifiers leaving Olsen just outside.
Derrick Olsen (left) competes in the men’s 110-meter hurdles June 24, 2024 at the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Olsen has been training in Phoenix over the past year with the Phoenix Track Club and stepped into lane five Monday night wearing a white singlet with blue shorts. He cleared the first seven hurdles cleanly before knocking into the eighth and ninth.
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He was a Class AA state champion for Helena High in the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles, setting school records in both events, but originally went to Rocky Mountain College to compete in football. He then transferred to Montana State school where he eventually set the Bobcats’ record in the 110 hurdles.
Olsen is the final of nine athletes with Montana ties competing on the first weekend of the Trials. Another five will compete on the second weekend set to start on Thursday.
