Former South Dakota State University track and field standout Jazzelena Black competed Monday in the triple jump at the United States Olympic Trials, finishing in 23rd place.
A native of Oxnard, California, Black was of 24 competitors in the event, which was held at Historic Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus
. Black’s top mark of 12.85 meters (42 feet, 2 inches) came in the last of her three attempts Monday afternoon.
Keturah Orji of the University of Georgia posted the top mark in the preliminaries at 14.17 meters (46-6). The top 12 competitors in Monday’s preliminary round advanced to Thursday’s triple jump finals
. The champion will earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team and compete in Rio de Janeiro in August. Black qualified for the Olympic Trials with a mark of 13.35 meters (43 feet, 9.75 inches) en route to winning the triple jump title at the Texas State Bobcat Invitational in San Marcos, Texas, in April. She also won Summit League individual titles in the triple jump both indoors and outdoors during the 2016 season.
