By Liz Alper
Photo: Shanieka Thomas, courtesy goaztecs.com
July 3, 2016 (Kingston, Jamaica) - Former San Diego State Aztec track and field athlete Shanieka Thomas qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics today with a runner-up finish in the triple jump at the Jamaican Senior National Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.
Thomas is the second former SDSU track and field athlete to qualify for the Olympics. The other is Whitney Ashley, who won the discus throw at the Olympic Trials yesterday. SDSU now has multiple track and field Olympians for the first time since 1988. Thomas is the 14th Olympian in SDSU women's track and field history and the only jumper in SDSU women's track and field to qualify for the Olympics.
Thomas qualified for the Games with a jump of 47 feet, 4 ½ inches (14.44m), placing second.