Anavia Battle made the U.S. Olympic track and field team by doing something no collegiate woman had ever done before.
Going into last month’s U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, no female collegiate runner had ever run a wind-legal time faster than 22 seconds in the 200-meter dash. But with a trip to Tokyo on the line, Battle made history.
Battle, who already held Ohio State’s school record in the 200 with a previous personal best of 22.28 seconds, ran the 200 in 21.95 seconds to set a new all-time collegiate best and more importantly, finish third in the Olympic Trials final to earn one of three spots on the U.