Two former Columbia Track and Field stars continue to shine as they prepare for the chance to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
While competing for Columbia, Delilah DiCrescenzo '05CC dominated the 3000 meter steeplechase. She was a three-time Ivy League Heptagonal champion and earned All-American status in her final season after placing ninth at the NCAA Championships.
On April 18, 2008, DiCrescenzo met the Olympic Trials "A" qualifying standard in the 3000m steeplechase at the Mt. SAC Relays. She then placed fourth at an IAAF Area Permit Meet in Rio de Janeiro on May 18, and placed third at the IAAF Grand Prix Meet in Belem, Brazil on May 25. Both of her finishes marked the highest American finish in the race.
Erison Hurtault '07CC, a two-time All-American while at Columbia, was also the first Ivy League male student-athlete ever in Heps history to win eight straight championships.
Hurtault won the 400m race at the Gold Meeting Sesi Caixi, an IAAF Area Permit Meet, in Uberlandia, Brazil on May 11. The race featured the 2007 USA Indoor Champion, Greg Nixon, and top Bahamian sprinter, Michael Mathieu.
On May 14, Hurtault placed third at the Gold Meeting Caixa Fortaleza in Fortaleza, Brazil. He has recently returned to the United States to continue his preparation for the Olympic trials. He will be competing against many world record holders at the Reebok Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium on May 31.
The U.S. Olympic trials for the men's 400m is set for Sunday, June 29, while the women's steeplechase trial will take place on June 30 in Eugene, Oregon.
