2008 Beijing Olympics

Marks eliminated in triple jump; Goucher takes 10th in 10,000 meters

by Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota track and field athlete Shani Marks failed to qualify for the Olympic finals in the triple jump event today, ending her Olympic competition this year.

Marks finished 28th in the qualifying round, and only the top 12 finishers advance to the finals. Her longest jump was 44 feet, 1-1/4 inches, which is well below the 47 feet 2-1/4 inch mark she set at the U.S. Olympic trials in July.

Marks grew up in Apple Valley and also competed for the Minnesota Gophers. She now lives in Brooklyn Park.

Duluth native Kara Goucher finished in 10th place in the 10,000 meter race, with a time of 30 minutes, 55.16 seconds -- a personal best. Goucher, 30, is also scheduled to compete in the 5,000 meter race. The preliminary rounds of that event are on Tuesday.

Ali Bernard, from New Ulm, begins competing in the women's wrestling events tomorrow, when the qualifying matches in her division get underway.