Former Bison Amanda Smock Wins Triple Jump, Heads to 2012 London Summer Olympic Games

EUGENE, Ore.--Former North Dakota State University All-American Amanda (Thieschafer) Smock won the triple jump with a mark of 45 feet, 9 inches at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Monday, June 25, at a soggy and slick Hayward Field. Smock qualified for the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.

“There’s more to come, and I’m looking forward to the Olympics,” said Smock.

On her first attempt of the competition, Smock recorded a mark of 45 feet, 9 inches to take an early lead. Unattached Sheena Gordon was second at 45 feet, 4 1/2 inch, and Andrea Geubelle of Kansas was third at 45 feet, 3 inches.

“I started off with a pretty good jump. I was hoping to build off it but I wasn’t able to," said Smock.

"It was close and I was hoping to increase the distance as I went on, but it worked out.”

Smock, affiliated with the New York Athletic Club, had the top qualifying mark of 46 feet, 6 1/4 inches entering the U.S. Olympic Trials and surpassed the Olympic 'B' qualifying standard of 46 feet, 3-1/2 inches. The Olympic ‘A’ qualifying standard is 46 feet, 11 inches.

Smock, 29, becomes the fifth former North Dakota State athlete to compete in the Summer Olympic Games joining sprinter Tamara Wigley-Brudy (1996/Atlanta, 4x400 meter relay for Saint Kitts and Nevis); Greco-Roman wrestlers Brad Rheingans (1976/Montreal, Heavyweight, 4th, USA) and John Morgan (1988/Seoul, Middleweight, 7th, USA), and volleyball player Janet Cobbs (1992/Barcelona, Bronze medalist, USA). Rheingans also made the 1980 Olympic team, but USA didn't compete.

Former NDSU wrestling graduate assistant Jeff Blatnick won the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal in the Greco-Roman wrestling heavyweight division.

Smock, a native of Melrose, Minn., was a three-time NCAA Division II national champion and 13-time All-American from 2001-04 at North Dakota State.