UNK Athletics
Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney standout Wes Ferguson runs in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials this Thursday (June 27) in Eugene, Oreg.
The men's 800-meter first round/quarterfinals are set for 6:30 p.m. Central and can be viewed on Peacock. The start list will be revealed closer to race day; live results are available as well.
If Ferguson (Fremont) finishes in the top six of his heat or has one of the next three fastest times, he'll advance to Friday's semifinals (three heats of seven). That begins at 8:39 p.m. Central and can be seen on Peacock and USA. Finally, to reach Sunday's finals at 6:51 p.m. Central, he'll have to finish in the top two of a heat or have one of the next three fastest times. Once again, the finals (nine qualifiers) will air on Peacock and NBC.
Unlike some other nations that have a wildcard spot available, the U.S. policy on making the Olympic team is straight forward; finish in the top three and head to Paris (July 26-Aug. 11).
Ferguson currently ranks eighth in the country this year with a time of 1:45.06. Bryce Hoppel (adidas/Kansas Alum; 1:43.68), Isaiah Jewett (NIKE/Southern Cal Alum; 1:44.02) and Brandon Miller (Brooks/Texas A&M Alum; 1:44.24) lead the field.
A five-time NCAA Division II national champion and nine-time All-American, Ferguson is one of six declared runners with D2 ties. Before transferring to Power 5 schools, Shane Cohen (Tampa) and Abraham Alvarado (Cal State Stanislaus) were D2 student-athletes with Benjamin Allen (Concordia-St. Paul), Robert Downs (Texas A&M-Kingsville) and Derek Holdsworth (Western Oregon) each being D2 standouts during their careers.
UNK has had two Olympic athletes in recent times in wrestler Tervel Dlagnev (2012 and 2016) and track team member Curtis Harry (two-man bobsleigh). Dlagnev eventually earned a bronze medal in 2016 with Harry representing Trinidad & Tobago in the 1994 and 1998 Winter games.