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Nevin Harrison, bidding to be first U.S. woman to win gold, makes Olympic canoe team

Nevin Harrison took the next step toward a possible historic medal by becoming the first U.S. Olympic qualifier in canoeing.

Harrison, an 18-year-old from Seattle, won the Olympic trials 200m sprint on Friday in Sarasota, Florida, to clinch a spot in Tokyo. This summer, she could become the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic canoe or kayak title.

Harrison’s biggest victory to date came two years ago, becoming the first American to earn a world championships sprint canoe medal, which turned out to be gold.

Harrison picked up canoe after hip dysplasia forced her to stop sprinting on the track in 2016.