July 17, 2000

On Friday, July 14, former Villanova track & field standout Jen Rhines placed second in the 10,000 meter run at the Olympic Trials held in Sacramento Calif. and earned a spot on the 2000 United States Olympic team. By making the Olympic team, Rhines keeps Villanova's amazing streak alive of having at least one former track & field athlete compete in every Summer Olympics since 1948.

Rhines, who was timed in a personal best clocking of 31:58.34, made a strong move over the final 200 meters to secure her second place finish. Californian Deena Drossin captured the event in an Olympic Trial record time of 31:51.05, while Libbie Hickman claimed the last spot on the Olympic team by placing third in 31:58.69.

"I felt I was going to have a good last lap today," said Rhines, "so I was trying to cover every move Drossin made and save everything for the last 200 or 250 meters. It was the best feeling I've ever had, knowing I had made the team."

During her career on the Main Line, Rhines won five individual NCAA titles including three-straight 5,000 meter outdoor titles (1994-96), the 1995 indoor 5,000 meters and the 1994 cross country crown. The 1996 Villanova graduate also ran a leg on the Wildcats 1995 DMR National Championship squad.