A.G. is preparing for the 2008 Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. The Olympic Trials designates which athletes will represent the USA in the 2008 Games. With A.G.'s current throwing marks, we are very optimistic about A.G. securing his spot on the Team. A.G. will be qualifying at the Trials on Monday, June 30th at 7pm in the evening and then the Men's Hammer Throw Finals are on Friday, July 4th!
6/30/08- Quick update... the Men's Hammer Qualifying just completed and A.G. threw over 73 meters which is great! He's automatically qualified to compete in the finals on Friday, along with the other top 12 athletes. There are pictures to come soon, once they are uploaded. It was a great meet tonight!!
Today is the day of qualifying for the Men's Hammer. A.G. competes tonight as he is in good spirits and looking forward to tonight's competition. There are 2 flights of athletes in the men's hammer qualifying round and A.G. is in the 2nd flight to compete. Competition starts at 7pm (pacific time zone). Over the weekend, all family members have arrived safely into Eugene, Or. Eugene is known as "Track Town USA" with bike trails and parks everywhere, where it's perceived to be a very healthy city. The weather is beautiful- high 70's/mid 80's, low humidity and a cool breeze. We'll keep you updated with info and pictures. Keep A.G. in your thoughts and prayers...
7/01/08-The results from yesterday's qualifying meet are online (including 1st & 2nd flights, and final marks are displayed at the bottom from both flights). Today was a relaxing day since A.G. had to attend an Olympic meeting and stay off his feet. So the rest of us spent the day at the coast seeing Sea Lions & splashing around in the ocean (which was VERY cold!).
7/02/08- Today is a rest day for all athletes, no events are being held. No events were held yesterday either. A.G. is maintaining his training and lifting schedule at the local facilities to continue his throwing for Friday. As an athlete, A.G. doesn't get nervous for large events like the Olympic Trials (as most people would!). Actually, he gets real excited for the meet. A.G. is very consistent throughout the year which is ideal when projecting upcoming marks. Many people ask him how his eating and sleeping schedule is different as an Olympic athlete, and the answer is that his eating and sleeping is perfectly normal! He doesn't deprive himself of any sweets, just eating in moderation. For the most part this week, A.G. has been relaxing in order to stay off his feet for Friday's meet. It would be great if he could travel around the state and go site-seeing, but that would require being on your feet and getting tired from the sun. So typically, it's a very relaxing, low-key week!
7/03/08- Another relaxing day today before the Finals tomorrow. We all did some shopping today at some local stores. Tonight we'll be heading to the track to watch the qualifying events for the women's hammer, men's discus, and women's shot put. Since we are staying at the host hotel where all the elite athletes stay, we are seeing many athletes. Actually, we just got off the elevator (and saw him at the mall) with Tyson Gay. As some of you may know, you can also look at pictures of the Olympic Trials on TrackShark. More updates later!
7/04/08- Happy 4th of July! Yes, today is the day of the Men's Hammer
Finals Competition. So far this morning, everyone is in good spirits
and looking forward to tonight- including A.G. who just left for
breakfast. Today we'll be relaxing until the afternoon when
we'll take the shuttle over to the track (at University of
Oregon)... by the way, it's a beautiful track facility.
The Men's Hammer starts at 7pm pacific time (10pm eastern). Of the 24 men that competed in the Hammer Qualifying on Monday, tonight's finals will consist of those top 12 athletes to compete for their place on the USA Track and Field Olympic Team. There are many scenario's which can determine who goes to the Games pending on athlete's final marks tonight, but simply-- since A.G. has thrown the farthest in the US this year, he can secure his spot (with no questions asked) by placing first tonight. That is his plan, obviously. If he does not place first, these other scenario's come into play. Below is the start list for tonight's finals. These are the top 12 men to compete. A.G. is 7th to compete, his athlete number is #762, and his throw of 73.30 meters at qualifying brought him into tonight's final competition.
Event 35 Men Hammer Throw
===============================================================================
Friday 7/4/2008 - 7:00 PM
Auto Qualifier: 72.00
World: 86.74m 8/30/1986 Yuriy Sedykh, URS
American: 82.52m 9/7/1996 Lance Deal, NYAC
OT: 80.12m 6/4/1992 Jud Logan, NYAC
Hayward: 82.65m 2004 Koji Murofushi, Japan
Name Year Team Prelims Finals
===============================================================================
Flight 1 Finals
1 974 Travis Nutter unattached 72.87m
2 1009 David Paul unattached 69.65m
3 848 Cory Martin Auburn 73.22m
4 422 Jake Dunkleberger Auburn 69.51m
5 1002 James Parker unattached 71.33m
6 480 Thomas Freeman unattached 72.08m
7 762 A.G. Kruger Nike 73.30m
8 829 Lucais MacKay unattached 68.34m
9 878 Kevin McMahon unattached 68.46m
10 836 Michael Mai U.S. Army 68.70m
11 1038 Garland Porter unattached 68.13m
12 707 Kibwe Johnson New York A C 68.38m
Also, I took many more pictures last night of the facilities and events to post, but this morning my computer & camera didn't get along and I lost them. Since today is the 4th of July, there are fireworks at the track at 10pm after the last event (Men's 10K). There are several celebratory events going on at the track today too. I'll be posting the results as soon as I can.
Keep A.G. in your thoughts and prayers, we appreciate it.
Today is the day we've been waiting 4 years for...
The Men's Hammer starts at 7pm pacific time (10pm eastern). Of the 24 men that competed in the Hammer Qualifying on Monday, tonight's finals will consist of those top 12 athletes to compete for their place on the USA Track and Field Olympic Team. There are many scenario's which can determine who goes to the Games pending on athlete's final marks tonight, but simply-- since A.G. has thrown the farthest in the US this year, he can secure his spot (with no questions asked) by placing first tonight. That is his plan, obviously. If he does not place first, these other scenario's come into play. Below is the start list for tonight's finals. These are the top 12 men to compete. A.G. is 7th to compete, his athlete number is #762, and his throw of 73.30 meters at qualifying brought him into tonight's final competition.
Event 35 Men Hammer Throw
===============================================================================
Friday 7/4/2008 - 7:00 PM
Auto Qualifier: 72.00
World: 86.74m 8/30/1986 Yuriy Sedykh, URS
American: 82.52m 9/7/1996 Lance Deal, NYAC
OT: 80.12m 6/4/1992 Jud Logan, NYAC
Hayward: 82.65m 2004 Koji Murofushi, Japan
Name Year Team Prelims Finals
===============================================================================
Flight 1 Finals
1 974 Travis Nutter unattached 72.87m
2 1009 David Paul unattached 69.65m
3 848 Cory Martin Auburn 73.22m
4 422 Jake Dunkleberger Auburn 69.51m
5 1002 James Parker unattached 71.33m
6 480 Thomas Freeman unattached 72.08m
7 762 A.G. Kruger Nike 73.30m
8 829 Lucais MacKay unattached 68.34m
9 878 Kevin McMahon unattached 68.46m
10 836 Michael Mai U.S. Army 68.70m
11 1038 Garland Porter unattached 68.13m
12 707 Kibwe Johnson New York A C 68.38m
Also, I took many more pictures last night of the facilities and events to post, but this morning my computer & camera didn't get along and I lost them. Since today is the 4th of July, there are fireworks at the track at 10pm after the last event (Men's 10K). There are several celebratory events going on at the track today too. I'll be posting the results as soon as I can.
Keep A.G. in your thoughts and prayers, we appreciate it.
Today is the day we've been waiting 4 years for...
7/05/08- WE’RE
GOING TO BEIJING! A.G. WON THE MEN’S HAMMER FINALS AND IS GOING TO THE 2008
OLYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJING, CHINA!!
Watching A.G. throw last night was amazing! Even though we're all excited about the event, the nerves in all of us started to kick in. As I mentioned in my last blog, we relaxed most of the day yesterday... watched TV, played ping pong, etc, to stay relaxed and stay off his feet. We headed over to the track at 5pm where A.G. went to the athlete's prep area and the rest of us grabbed our seats in the bleachers. Once the 7pm Finals Competition began, the entire bleachers were packed with spectators to watch these 12 men compete. At the competition, each of the 12 athletes had 3 throws each. THEN, the top 8 were allowed 3 MORE throws to determine the winner. With EVERY throw A.G. had, his marks grew longer in length and he maintained 1st place from the very beginning. It was an excellent competition with Jake, Kevin & Travis competing with good throws too. Everyone competed well. Below are the final marks of everyone- of all 12 throwers. All results can be found at usatf.org.
Men Hammer Throw
Watching A.G. throw last night was amazing! Even though we're all excited about the event, the nerves in all of us started to kick in. As I mentioned in my last blog, we relaxed most of the day yesterday... watched TV, played ping pong, etc, to stay relaxed and stay off his feet. We headed over to the track at 5pm where A.G. went to the athlete's prep area and the rest of us grabbed our seats in the bleachers. Once the 7pm Finals Competition began, the entire bleachers were packed with spectators to watch these 12 men compete. At the competition, each of the 12 athletes had 3 throws each. THEN, the top 8 were allowed 3 MORE throws to determine the winner. With EVERY throw A.G. had, his marks grew longer in length and he maintained 1st place from the very beginning. It was an excellent competition with Jake, Kevin & Travis competing with good throws too. Everyone competed well. Below are the final marks of everyone- of all 12 throwers. All results can be found at usatf.org.
Men Hammer Throw
Men Hammer Throw
==========================================================================
World: W 86.74m 8/30/1986 Yuriy Sedykh, URS
American: A 82.52m 9/7/1996 Lance Deal, NYAC
OT: T 80.12m 6/4/1992 Jud Logan, NYAC
Hayward: S 82.65m 2004 Koji Murofushi, Japan
Name Year Team Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 A.G. Kruger Nike 75.81m 248-09
74.04m 74.94m 75.39m 75.56m 75.81m 73.68m
2 Kevin McMahon unattached 74.49m 244-05
72.55m 73.95m FOUL 74.49m 72.62m FOUL
3 Thomas Freeman unattached 73.59m 241-05
72.92m 71.76m 1.91m 73.59m FOUL 72.41m
4 Travis Nutter unattached 73.25m 240-04
69.70m 73.25m FOUL 71.03m 73.00m 71.57m
5 Michael Mai U.S. Army 71.75m 235-05
71.75m 67.81m 69.37m 71.75m FOUL FOUL
6 Cory Martin Auburn 71.64m 235-00
71.09m 71.29m 71.23m 71.64m FOUL 71.15m
7 James Parker unattached 69.97m 229-07
69.50m FOUL 69.97m 69.09m FOUL FOUL
8 Jake Dunkleberger Auburn 68.90m 226-00
66.43m 66.83m 68.62m FOUL 68.90m 68.28m
9 Garland Porter unattached 68.53m 224-10
66.00m 67.47m 68.53m
10 Lucais MacKay unattached 67.71m 222-02
67.71m 67.34m FOUL
11 David Paul unattached 66.65m 218-08
FOUL 66.65m FOUL
-- Kibwe Johnson New York A C FOUL
FOUL FOUL FOUL
I have some pictures... I'm going to upload them in a couple hours. I wanted to blog first in order to share the great news!!! A.G. wants his mom & I to travel to Beijing to watch him throw, so of course- we'll go!! We are very excited! We are going to be hosting some support events within the next month to raise money for our trip. Within the next few days, we will have compete details about these support events on our website within the next few days (including dates, times, information, etc) in order for you to get involved. Check back soon as I will be posting pictures... and will be continuing to update the site daily.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers from all of you. The excitement on A.G.'s face at the end of the competition was an expression of amazement and gratitude. He has worked very hard for the last 4 years to get to this moment and to achieve these results. He thanks you and I do too.
HOORAY!!!
==========================================================================
World: W 86.74m 8/30/1986 Yuriy Sedykh, URS
American: A 82.52m 9/7/1996 Lance Deal, NYAC
OT: T 80.12m 6/4/1992 Jud Logan, NYAC
Hayward: S 82.65m 2004 Koji Murofushi, Japan
Name Year Team Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 A.G. Kruger Nike 75.81m 248-09
74.04m 74.94m 75.39m 75.56m 75.81m 73.68m
2 Kevin McMahon unattached 74.49m 244-05
72.55m 73.95m FOUL 74.49m 72.62m FOUL
3 Thomas Freeman unattached 73.59m 241-05
72.92m 71.76m 1.91m 73.59m FOUL 72.41m
4 Travis Nutter unattached 73.25m 240-04
69.70m 73.25m FOUL 71.03m 73.00m 71.57m
5 Michael Mai U.S. Army 71.75m 235-05
71.75m 67.81m 69.37m 71.75m FOUL FOUL
6 Cory Martin Auburn 71.64m 235-00
71.09m 71.29m 71.23m 71.64m FOUL 71.15m
7 James Parker unattached 69.97m 229-07
69.50m FOUL 69.97m 69.09m FOUL FOUL
8 Jake Dunkleberger Auburn 68.90m 226-00
66.43m 66.83m 68.62m FOUL 68.90m 68.28m
9 Garland Porter unattached 68.53m 224-10
66.00m 67.47m 68.53m
10 Lucais MacKay unattached 67.71m 222-02
67.71m 67.34m FOUL
11 David Paul unattached 66.65m 218-08
FOUL 66.65m FOUL
-- Kibwe Johnson New York A C FOUL
FOUL FOUL FOUL
I have some pictures... I'm going to upload them in a couple hours. I wanted to blog first in order to share the great news!!! A.G. wants his mom & I to travel to Beijing to watch him throw, so of course- we'll go!! We are very excited! We are going to be hosting some support events within the next month to raise money for our trip. Within the next few days, we will have compete details about these support events on our website within the next few days (including dates, times, information, etc) in order for you to get involved. Check back soon as I will be posting pictures... and will be continuing to update the site daily.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers from all of you. The excitement on A.G.'s face at the end of the competition was an expression of amazement and gratitude. He has worked very hard for the last 4 years to get to this moment and to achieve these results. He thanks you and I do too.
HOORAY!!!
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