COE Students, Grad Heading To 2004 Olympics

Several present, future and recent UGA College of Education student athletes are heading to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece in August – but not all will compete for United States.

Shot putter Reese Hoffa, a 2001 graduate from health and physical education and current Athens resident, was the only UGA track and field athlete or former athlete to qualify for the U.S. team. Hoffa placed second in the recent Olympic trials in Sacramento, Calif., with a throw of 69 - 4 1/4 inches. The world's top four shot putters were competing for only three spots on the Olympic team.

“Anything can happen when you get there,” Georgia head track coach Wayne Norton said. “Right now, Americans are the best shot putters in the world.”

Three COE international students and one graduate have been selected to compete in the Olympics on their home nation’s teams.
• Jenny Dahlgren, a sophomore who intends to major in early childhood education, will compete for the Argentine track team.
• Nicholas Kintz, a 2004 graduate in exercise and sport science, will swim for France.
• Josh Laban, a junior health promotion and education major, is on the Virgin Islands swim team.
• Sara Poewe, a sophomore who intends to major in sport studies, has made the German swim team.

Tuesday, July 20, 2004