Sports

Former Crimson Tide Track Star Qualifies For Tokyo Olympics

Former University of Alabama track and field star Shelby McEwen is the third UA alum to earn a spot on team USA for the 2021 Summer Olympics

Former Crimson Tide track star Shelby McEwen is headed to Tokyo to compete in the 2021 Summer Olympics.
Former Crimson Tide track star Shelby McEwen is headed to Tokyo to compete in the 2021 Summer Olympics. (Crimson Tide Athletics )

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former University of Alabama track and field star Shelby McEwen is headed to his first Summer Olympics after placing third in the high jump at the United States Olympic Team Trials in Oregon on Sunday.

McEwen, 25, is now the third Crimson Tide alum to secure a spot on Team USA, along with Quanesha Burks in the long jump and Daniel Haugh in the hammer throw.

A native of Abbeville, Mississippi who graduated from Oxford High School, McEwen originally transferred to UA from Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he played on the Rangers' basketball team for two years in addition to running track.

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During his time at the Capstone, McEwen won an NCAA title and was an All-American in 2018 and 2019.

Barely missing the cut was UA All-American alum Emmanuel Bor, who logged a fifth-place finish in the men's 5,000 meters, falling three seconds short of third place and a spot on Team USA.

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