Kansas University middle distance runner Charlie Gruber has qualified for the Olympic Trials.
Gruber, a senior from Arvada, Colo., stormed to a 1:46.99 clocking in the 800 last Saturday at the New Balance/Canadian-American Boston High Performance meet in Dedham, Mass.
The Olympic Trials qualifying standard is 1:47.6. Gruber’s previous best had been 1:48.25.
Gruber’s clocking was the third fastest in the 800 in KU history.
The four-time Big 12 champion from Arvada, Colo., will compete in the 800 at the Trials, July 21 in Sacramento, Calif.
Gruber still is trying to record a qualifying time in the 1,500 (3:40.5). His best time is 3:43.0.
“Having qualified in the 800 will give him extra confidence the mental and physical energy to qualify in the 1,500,” former KU coach Gary Schwartz said of Gruber, who runs again in meets tonight and Saturday in Massachusetts and Maine.
Also for KU, senior Andrea Branson will compete in the women’s pole vault at the Trials on July 22. Ex-Jayhawk Pat Manson will compete in the pole vault on July 14.
KU senior-to-be Scott Russell of Ontario, Canada, will compete in the Canadian Olympic trials in late August.
