DURHAM, N.C. – Three current members of the Duke track and field team along with two alumnae look to leave their mark at the upcoming 2012 United States Olympic Team Trials in Track and Field.  The elite meet is set to take place June 21-25 and June 28- July 1 at the historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.   Rising juniors Curtis Beach, Michelle Anumba and Tanner Anderson will join Duke graduate Devotia Moore and Olympic veteran Shannon Rowbury as they seek slots on the 2012 U.S. Olympic squad. 

Thumbnail photo is courtesy of Duke Athletics

*Participation pending qualification 

Rowbury is no stranger to the Olympic process or the international stage.  In 2008, she finished first at the Olympic trials and went on to give the U.S. its highest finish ever by a women in the 1,500 meters by crossing the line in seventh at the Beijing Olympic finals.  In 2009, the San Francisco, Calif., native won a bronze medal at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany.  While at Duke, Rowbury was the 2007 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Mile Champion and earned All-American honors in cross country, indoor and outdoor track.   

This year marks the first Olympic Trial appearance for Moore, who will compete in the 800.  The two-time All-ACC honoree was also a member of the 4x800 relay team that finished first at the 2011 Penn Relays.   

Decathlete Beach comes into his first trials competition seeking his first Olympic appearance.  The 2012 NCAA heptathlon champion will face some fierce opposition in what appears to be the deepest level of competition the multi-event has seen in decades. 

The Albuquerque, N.M., native earned the Olympic “A” standard in 2011 on his way to being the 2011 NCAA decathlon runner-up.  A few weeks ago, Beach earned All-America honors in both the long jump and 800 at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championships hosted by Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.     

Anumba earned the Olympic “B” standard in the shot put with a school record mark of 17.18.  The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native is a two-time ACC Champion in the event and earned first team All-America honors at the 2012 NCAA Championships. 

High jumper Anderson has cleared a personal record mark of 7-4.25 (2.24), which gave him the Olympic “B” standard and a slot at the prestigious event.  The Valdese, N.C., native is a two-time All-ACC performer, including a silver medal at the 2012 outdoor conference championships. 

Individuals who advance will compete in the 2012 London Olympics on July 27- August 12 with track and field events beginning August 3 and wrapping up on August 12.  One Duke alumna has already qualified for the London games; pole vaulter Jillian Schwartz has cleared the “A” standard and is set to compete for Israel.