YSU Runner Qualifies for U.S. Olympic Trials

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Youngstown State University alumnus Collin Harden qualified for the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the 400-meter hurdles on June 24 in Eugene, Oregon.

Harden’s time of 50.21 at the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round allowed him to secure his position in the trials for Team USA. The first round of the event will be at 10:32 p.m. eastern standard time at Hayward Field. The event will be broadcast live nationally on NBCSN.

Harden, a 2016 Girard High School graduate, is the third former YSU men’s track and field student-athlete to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the last two games. In the 2016 trials, Bobby Grace (shot put) and Conner Neu (hammer throw) competed.

Harden finished his collegiate track and field career as a two-time Division I All-American at YSU. His last race as a Penguin came June 9 at Hayward Field in the semifinals of the NCAA Track and Field Championships. He clocked a time of 51.06 seconds, the sixth-fastest mark in his heat.

Harden capped his YSU senior campaign in 2021 as the Horizon League Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships outstanding performer for running events after winning the 100 and 400 hurdles. He was named YSU’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2020.

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