Texas Tech Athletes Compete at 2012 Olympic Trials

A few Texas Tech Red Raiders, both current and former, competed over the weekend in their respective events trying to earn a spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Former Texas Tech standout Sally Kipyego earned another spot in the 2012 summer games Saturday as she qualified in her second event at the Kenyan Olympic Trails.

Kipyego finished second overall in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 16:09:29. She previously had qualified for the Olympics in the 10,000 meter run.

She is the most decorated student-athlete in Texas Tech history with nine NCAA titles.

"This was another outstanding effort by Sally," Texas Tech Cross Country Coach Jon Murray said. "It is quite an honor to be able to represent Kenya in two events at the Olympics. This is a great testimony to Sally's hard work during her running career."

Texas Tech senior hurdler Shane Brathwaite finished third at the Barbados National Championship in the 110 meter hurdles Saturday to officially secure his spot in the Olympics.

Brathwaite finished with a top three time of 13.63. He entered the national championships after having already hit the Olympic qualifying mark during the NCAA Outdoor season.

Brathwaite ended is stellar career at Texas Tech earlier this month with a seventh place finish in the 110 meter hurdles at the NCAA Championship to earn first team All-American honors.

He finished his senior season with six-top-five finishes and two first place finishes in the 110 meter hurdles. He also earned second team All-American honors as a member of the 4x100 relay team.

Texas Tech senior Gil Roberts bid for a U.S. Olympic Team roster spot ended Saturday in the semifinals of the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Roberts finished 12^th overall in the 400 meter dash with a time of 45.68. The top eight finishers advanced to Sunday’s finals.

"He ran a smooth race, but he just couldn't finish today," Texas Tech Head Coach Wes Kittley said. "I'm disappointed for him but it was just one of those days."

The senior ends his Texas Tech career as the school 400 meter record holder with a personal-best time of 44.84 which he recorded in the preliminaries of the NCAA Championships.

Roberts is scheduled to compete in the preliminaries of the 200 meters on June 29.

Texas Tech is also represented by former Red Raiders Jason Young (men's discus) and Omo Osaghae (men's 110 meter hurdles) as well as former Lady Raider Tori Polk (women's long jump) at the trials.

The men's discus is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m. CT while the women's long jump and the men's 110 meter hurdles are scheduled for June 29.