@MiamiHurricanes Headed to 2016 Rio Olympics
CORAL GABLES, Fla.– The 2016 Summer Olympics begin this week and the University of Miami will be well represented in Brazil.
Six Hurricanes athletes will travel to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics. Divers Sam Dorman and Marcela Marić, swimmer Heather Arseth, soccer goalie Catalina Perez and track and field standouts Murielle Ahoure and Alysha Newman will compete for their respective countries at the largest and most famous international athletic competition in the world. Soccer action begins on Aug. 3, while swimming and diving starts on Aug. 10 and track and field opens on Aug. 12.
Perez is the first Hurricane set to compete at the 2016 Olympics, as she will join Colombia in its opening match on Aug. 3 at 9 p.m. ET when they face France at Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Olympic soccer competition will run from Aug. 3-19. Colombia is in Group G along with France, New Zealand and the United States.
It will be the second consecutive year Perez is competing with the Colombian National Team in a major international competition, following the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
“It’s every athlete’s dream to go to the Olympics. I feel very fortunate to represent my country in Rio,” Perez said. “I am very thankful for everyone’s support toward making this happen. It hasn’t just been a process of months; it’s been a process of years.”
Perez, a redshirt junior, has played with Colombia’s senior national team for several years. Last summer, she started the first FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout round match in Colombian history and did not concede a goal during her time in net against the United States.
The three Hurricanes in swimming and diving are up next at the 2016 Olympics, with Arseth and Dorman opening competition on Aug. 10 and Marić diving on Aug. 12.
Arseth, who transferred to Miami prior to her junior season of 2013-14, was one of Miami’s top point-getters during her two seasons as a Hurricane. She is eager to compete on such a big stage again, returning for her second consecutive Olympic Games. After competing in the 200-meter freestyle in 2012, she will represent Mauritius in the 100-meter freestyle beginning at 12:02 p.m. ET on Aug. 10.
“It is my second time in the Olympics, so I have a better idea of what to expect,” Arseth said. “It doesn’t take away from the excitement and the anticipation leading up to it. I’m definitely very excited to represent Mauritius, and it’ll be my first time representing The U, and that’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Dorman, along with synchronized 3-meter partner Michael Hixon, is set to dive in the event beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Aug. 10. The duo clinched their spot in the Olympics with a first-place finish at U.S. Olympic Trials in June. Dorman and Hixon, who competed together for the first time at the U.S. Olympic Trials, posted a first-place score of 1308.36 points. In a heated battle throughout the finals with reigning Olympic bronze medalists Troy Dumais and Kristian Ipsen, it was Dorman and Hixon – partners for just over one month’s time – who emerged victorious.
“Sam is absolutely at the top of his game,” Miami head diving coach Randy Ableman said. “He’s in perfect shape. He’s doing the hardest dives in the world, and doing them spectacularly. It’s very gratifying to be a part of that development, and to see a kid achieve so many of his goals and dreams.”
Marić made history, becoming the first diver of Croatian descent to ever qualify for the Olympics. She earned her spot in the Olympics after her performance at the 2016 FINA World Cup. The rising sophomore will make her Olympic debut in the women’s 3-meter springboard, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 12.
“Becoming the first Croatian diver to ever qualify makes me incredibly honored and excited to represent my country in Rio,” Marić said. “I also want to say that none of this would be possible without my amazing Miami coaches, Randy Ableman and Dario Di Fazio, for whom I am greatly thankful.”
The final Hurricanes in action will be a pair of track and field stars, Ahoure and Newman, looking to excel against the world’s best in their respective events.
Ahoure is back in the Olympics and will serve as the flag bearer for her native Ivory Coast at Friday’s opening ceremonies. The gifted sprinter returns to the Olympics after running for the Ivory Coast in both the women’s 100m and 200m at the 2012 Summer Games. Ahoure will compete in both events in 2016, running the 100m on Aug. 12 at 10:55 a.m. ET and the 200m at 8:35 a.m. ET on Aug. 15. The 2009 NCAA Indoor Champion in the 200m, Ahoure currently ranks third in the world in the 100m (10.78 seconds), making her a strong contender to leave Rio with a medal.
Newman is the last Hurricane scheduled to compete in Rio, set to jump in the women’s pole vault at 8:45 a.m. ET on Aug. 16. The Canadian Senior National record holder (4.61m), Newman clinched her spot in Rio by winning the Canadian championship. Her mark of 4.40m at the 2016 Canadian Championships broke Stephanie McCann’s Canadian championship record of 4.35m that had stood since 2002.
“This has been a dream of mine since I was little,” Newman said. “To be able to make the Olympic Team by winning my first Canadian senior title and setting a meet record is better than I could have dreamed. I’m so excited to represent my country on the biggest stage and make everyone proud!”
In addition to the six Hurricanes heading to Rio, three Miami coaches will also be at the 2016 Olympics. Ableman will serve as an assistant coach with USA Diving, while Miami head swimming coach Andy Kershaw will be the head manager for USA Swimming. New Miami track and field assistant coach Keith Herston will be a personal coach for one of Team USA’s pole vaulters.
The Games of the XXXI Olympiad are set to open on Friday, Aug. 5 and will continue through Sunday, Aug. 21.
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