Columbia News

Seven athletes from the University of Missouri's track and field program, including both current students and alumni, are set to compete at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon, from June 18 to June 27. The event will take place at Hayward Field.

Among those representing Mizzou is Karissa Schweizer, who competed for the university from 2015 to 2018. Schweizer will participate in both the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter races. She holds six school records across multiple indoor and outdoor distances and is a six-time NCAA Champion. Schweizer also set the collegiate record in the 10,000 meters during her time at Missouri.

Since turning professional with Bowerman Track Club, Schweizer has continued to perform at a high level. She broke the American indoor record in the 3,000 meters by more than seven seconds and posted a top-10 all-time mark in the 1,500 meters. In July 2020, she and Shelby Houlihan surpassed the previous American record in the outdoor 10,000 meters.

Gabi Jacobs (2015-19), another alumna and three-time SEC Champion, will compete in discus. Jacobs holds Missouri’s school record for women’s discus and twice placed fifth at NCAA Championships.

Avery Carter (2015-19) is scheduled to compete in hammer throw. He ranks third all-time in this event at Missouri.

Current student-athletes making their Olympic trials debut include freshman Skylar Ciccolini (javelin), redshirt freshman Mitch Weber (discus), Jordan McClendon (hammer throw), and junior Arianna Fisher (triple jump). Ciccolini finished ninth in javelin at this year’s NCAA Championships and holds the school record for that event. Weber was named SEC Co-Newcomer of the Year after placing second in discus at conference championships. McClendon concluded her college career this spring by competing at NCAA West Preliminary rounds. Fisher qualified for both indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships this year and owns Missouri’s indoor triple jump record.

The U.S. Olympic Trials – Track & Field will be available on NBCSN and NBC throughout the competition period.

For further updates on Mizzou Track & Field activities or schedules, information can be found on MUTigers.com as well as through their social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under "MizzouTFXC".

"I am excited to see so many current athletes as well as alumni represent our program on such a big stage," said head coach Brett Halter. "Their hard work has put them among some of the best athletes in America."

The schedule for Mizzou athletes includes qualifying rounds beginning Friday, June 18 with Avery Carter competing in men’s hammer throw at 2:05 p.m., followed by Gabi Jacobs in women’s discus at 4 p.m., Arianna Fisher in women’s triple jump at 8:15 p.m., and Karissa Schweizer running her first round of the women’s 5,000 meters later that evening.

Further details about specific events are available through official meet schedules linked online.