Morgan Uceny Headed to London for 2012 Olympics

Cornell University has never boasted a female track Olympian – until Sunday. 147 years after the school’s founding and 116 after the launch of the modern day Olympics, the two giants have finally crossed paths on the asphalt oval.

Morgan Uceny, ’07, utilized an early lead and a mighty kick to finish first in the 1500 meter at the U.S. Olympic trials on Sunday evening. The finish, Uceny’s second consecutive outdoor U.S. Championship, earned the former Big Red star a spot on the country’s Olympic team. Uceny will don her red, white, and blue uniform at this summer’s games, which begin on July 27, in London.

While at Cornell, Uceny was a star in the 800m, before converting to the 1500m later in her career. She holds seven school records.

Now, the Adidas-sponsored runner is considered among the best in the world at her event.

Her winning time on Sunday of 4:04.59 was enough to win by more than half a second, but it is short of Uceny’s career best. Her time of 4:00.6 last year was the world’s fastest and makes her one of the early favorites in next month’s competition.