EUGENE, Ore. – Days after qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women’s discus, Wisconsin senior Kelsey Card returned to Hayward Field on Thursday looking to earn a spot on Team USA in the shot put at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

With nothing to lose, Card was unable to earn a fair throw in the shot put en route to a 24th-place showing in the event.

“We are incredibly proud of Kelsey,” UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. “I admire her courage to want to go back out there again today and compete in the shot put. I’m not sure where she found that energy to even do that considering what has gone on the last couple of days for her after making Team USA in the discus. It shows what a great athlete she is.

“Obviously she looked a little bit off and wasn’t on her game. That’s okay. It shows that even the best of the competitors can have an off day, and that’s what today was. I know she wanted to make the final, but she is going to Rio. What an amazing week it has been for her.

“Now she can concentrate on the discus and relax for a few days and let this experience and journey soak in. Then she can get back to work and concentrate 100 percent on the discus leading up to Rio.”

The only athlete to compete in both the women’s shot put and discus at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, Card will compete in the discus for Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics on Monday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

courtesy: www.uwbadgers.com