No Medal, but Hooker Runs Lifetime Best

Marshevet Hooker in her Longhorn days (photo courtesy of UT Athletics)

To the untrained eye, UT ex Marshevet Hooker's failure to get a medal might be viewed as a continuation of the mostly miserable experience that the United States team has suffered in the 2008 Olympics.

Yes, the U.S. has gone 0-6 on golds in the short sprint events (men's and women's 100, 200, and 4x100 relays - the latter featuring two dropped batons), but Hooker owes no one any apologies. She placed fifth in today's 200 meter dash, but ran a lifetime best of 22.34 seconds to get it and can come back to Austin with head held high.

Also today, another former Longhorn, Trey Hardee, got off to a solid start in the decathlon. As of this writing, after six of the 10 events, he is currently standing third. In fact, if not for a poor shot put, he might be in the lead. His 5,377 points place him behind teammate and world champion Bryan Clay (5,505) and Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus (5,381).

The decathletes have completed the 100, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400, and 110 meters hurdles; still to come are the discus, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500 meters.

Still to come for Austin: Sanya Richards placed a disappointing third yesterday in the 400 meters when her hamstring cramped up with 80 meters to go. If she has recovered, she'll run on the 4x400 meters relay.