Ofili Takes Silver at British Championships, Punches Ticket to Beijing
7/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
July 4, 2015
BIRMINGHAM, England -- In addition to a pair of alumni in competition this weekend, the University of Michigan women's track and field team was represented by junior Cindy Ofili at Sainsbury's British Championships, where she earned a silver medal as the runner-up in the 100-meter hurdles Saturday (July 4), running 12.96 at Alexander Stadium. Ofili punched her ticket to Beijing, China, for next month's (Aug. 22-30) IAAF World Championships, where she will compete for Team Great Britain against the world's best.
Ofili won her preliminary heat in 13.21, clinching her spot in the event final 90 minutes later with the third-fastest qualifying time. With a bid to Beijing on the line, Ofili needed a top-two finish in the final to earn her spot on Team Great Britain.
The three-time All-American and owner of four U-M records clocked 12.96 out of the third lane to finish as the runner-up to her older sister, Wolverine alumna Tiffany (Ofili) Porter (2006-09), who ran 12.83 for gold. Both will compete for Team GB in China next month at the IAAF World Championships.
Another Wolverine alumna is in action this weekend, competing at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Edmonton, Alberta. Nicole (Edwards) Sifuentes (2005-08) won her first national championship in the 5,000m run Thursday (July 2), cementing her trip to Beijing to compete for Team Canada.
Sifuentes has traditionally excelled in the 1,500m run, in which she won a bronze at the 2014 IAAF Indoor Championships. However, she doubled this weekend and started strong with the 5K title. She ran 16:17.32 for the win and followed up that performance by qualifying for the 1,500m run less than 24 hours later in 4:23.50.
Sifuentes went on to win double golds, taking the 1,500m title on Saturday (July 4) in 4:20.29 on what was a slower race with heavy winds. She now has two Canadian national championships to her name after entering the weekend with none, and has the opportunity to double in Beijing next month.
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard (734) 763-4423
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