University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Sept. 19, 2019. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A De Pere native and UW-Oshkosh student is running for the chance to compete at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
Sophomore Davian Willems qualified for the U.S. Olympic trials June 22 at the University of Oregon. He will race in Round 1 of the 100-meter dash. The top three finishers in the event will earn a spot on Team USA.
Of the 34 declared entries to the Olympic trials, Willems is one of only two athletes from the NCAA Division III level. He is joined by another Wisconsin athlete, Sam Blaskowski from UW-LaCrosse.
Willems holds UWO’s men’s track & field’s indoor 60-meter and outdoor 100-meter dash records. He claimed two All-America national runner-up medals during the 2023-24 track & field season.
Justin Kinseth, head track & field coach, said in a news release:
We are beyond excited to see Davian earn his way into the Olympic Trails. Having dealt with hamstring injuries the past two seasons, Davian was finally able to showcase his true potential this season. This is a monumental occasion for the UWO track & field program as our sprints squad has been shattering the record board these past few years. To qualify for the trials as such a young age only shows how much more Davian has left in store.
UW-Oshkosh has sent four Titan athletes to the Olympics.
- Michael McPhail in 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics for the Rifle – 50 Meter Prone
- Melissa Mueller pole vaulted in the 2000 Summer Olympics
- Allison (Darragh) Pottinger was on the women’s curling team at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics
- Rodney Figueroa was UW-Oshkosh’s first Olympian, competing for Puerto Rico as a freestyle wrestler at the 1992 Summer Olympics
The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, France from July 26 to Aug. 11.
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