Miles-Clark
and Waller join HBCU Olympic contingent
July 13, 2004
Two thirty-something ladies with HBCU connections have qualified
for the 2004 US Olympic Team.
Tisha Waller
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Jearl Miles-Clark |
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Thirty-seven-year-old Jearl Miles-Clark won the 800 meter
dash and 34-year-old Tisha Waller captured
the high jump title.
Miles-Clark will compete in her fourth Olympic Games and
her second in the 800 meters after winning the 800 Monday in
1:59.06. The American record holder and Alabama A&M alum is
a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 4x400m relay (1996,
2000), and a relay silver medalist from 1992.
Miles-Clark will
be joined on the team by her sister-in-law, Hazel Clark,
who accepted a marriage proposal following the event.
"I'm looking forward on going to Athens and representing
the United States," she said. "I want to better my performance
of 2000."
Waller left no doubt that she was in control, clearing all
heights except her winning height of 1.98m/6-6 on her first
attempt. After taking a year off to complete a master's degree
at Clark Atlanta, the kindergarten teacher from Georgia cleared
6-6 on her third attempt to capture her fifth U.S. title
and second Olympic berth.
"It's a relief that this is over," she said. "I've worked
very hard to get these results."
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