Four Gophers competing for other countries

Last update: August 5, 2008 - 3:50 PM

ºBARBORA SPOTAKOVA

Czech Republic, track and field

The reigning world champion in women's javelin, Spotakova is a favorite to win the event in Beijing. A Gophers All-America in 2002, she was the Big Ten champion in the heptathlon that year and was fifth in the NCAA outdoor meet in the javelin throw. She holds the Czech record of 226 feet, 10 inches, the longest throw in the world this year, and placed 13th in the 2004 Olympics.

RASA MICHNIOVAITE TROUP

Lithuania, track and field

Troup was an All-America cross-country runner for the Gophers in 1998 and will compete for Lithuania in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. She stayed in Minnesota after graduating from the U in 2000, where she continues to work with the Gophers' track teams as a nutritionist. Troup, 31, began running the steeplechase in 2002 and will be part of the Olympic debut for the women's event. She returned to running last year after giving birth to her first child.

JILLIAN TYLER

Canada, swimming

Tyler, who will be a sophomore at the U this fall, set school records in the 100-meter breaststroke (59.80 seconds) and 200 breaststroke (2:10.18) and was part of foursomes that set Gophers marks in the 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay. The Big Ten freshman of the year, she earned league titles in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 400 medley relay. Tyler completed her first college season with a second-place finish in the 100 breaststroke at the NCAA championships. She earned a spot on the Canadian Olympic team with a second-place finish in the 100 breaststroke in personal-record time.

ROMAN CRESS

Marshall Islands, track and field

The St. Thomas grad will run the 100 meters for the Marshall Islands, which will field its first Olympic team. Cress' mother is a native Marshall Islander, and he was born there. Now an administrative assistant at North View Junior High School in Brooklyn Park, he set or equaled five school and MIAC records while running at St. Thomas. Cress, 30, has not competed in a meet since 2006 but was chosen as the Marshall Islands' only track Olympian based on his performances at the 2006 Micronesia Games.

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