JDL Fast Track Alums Garner Three Gold Medals at 2016 Rio Olympics

JDL Alums Also Earn Two Silvers and Two Bronze Medals

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – August 22, 2016 – With the 2016 Rio Olympics now over, JDL Fast Track has taken stock of the incredible performances achieved by the roster of athletes who have previously competed at JDL Fast Track.  With 21 athletes representing eight different countries, JDL alumni left Rio with a total of 7 medals.

There were three gold medals won by athletes who have previously competed at JDL Fast Track.  Ashton Eaton became just the third man to win two gold medals in the decathlon.  Matthew Centrowitz’s gold medal in the men’s 1500m was the first by an American since 1908.  Brianna Rollins led a 1-2-3 sweep of the women’s 100m Hurdles by the Americans, the first ever such sweep of an Olympic track and field event by the American women.

In addition to the three golds, JDL alums won two silver medals and two bronze medals.  Nia Ali (silver) and Kristi Castlin (bronze) completed the 100m Hurdles sweep.  Paul Chelimo, a graduate of UNC-Greensboro, won the silver medal in the men’s 5000m, which was the first time an American has medaled in that event since 1964.  Finally, Brianne Theisen-Eaton of Canada won the bronze medal in the women’s heptathlon.

In addition to these medals, two athletes set national records for their respective countries.  Melissa Bishop set the Canadian national record in the women’s 800m, while Alexi Pappas set the Greek national record in the women’s 10,000m.

Below is a list of every JDL alum who competed in Rio.  They are grouped by country and each one has a listing of their competition at JDL Fast Track as well as how they fared in the Olympics.  Athletes who medaled are italicized.

Bahamas (1)

Jeffery Gibson | Member of JDL facility record 4x400 relay in 2015 | Eliminated in Heat 1 of men’s 400m Hurdles

Barbados (3)

Kierre Beckles | Ran 60m Dash and 60m Hurdles at 2016 Camel City Invitational | Eliminated in Heat 4 of women’s 100m Hurdles

Burkheart Ellis, Jr. | Ran at JDL multiple times while competing for St. Augustine’s | Eliminated in Heat 6 of men’s 200m

Ramon Gittens | Shares facility record in 60m Dash | Eliminated in Heat 8 of men’s 100m and Heat 5 of men’s 200m

Canada (2)

Melissa Bishop | Won 2016 Camel City Elite 800m | Finished 4^th in women’s 800m and set Canadian national record

Brianne Theisen-Eaton | Competed in 2016 Camel City Elite in High Jump, Shot Put and 60m Hurdles | Bronze medalist in women’s heptathlon

Greece (1)

Alexi Pappas | Ran 2016 Camel City Elite 3k | Finished 17^th and set National Record in women’s 10,000m

Jamaica (3)

Roxroy Cato | Ran at JDL multiple times while competing for St. Augustine’s | Eliminated in Semi-Finals of men’s 400m Hurdles

Aisha Praught | Won 2015 Camel City Elite 3k | Finished 14^th in women’s Steeplechase

Shermaine Williams | Won 60m Hurdles at 2016 Wake Forest Invitational | Eliminated in Semi-Finals of women’s 100m Hurdles

Luxembourg (1)

Charles Grethen | Ran 2015 Camel City Elite 800m while at University of Georgia | Eliminated in Heat 7 of men’s 800m

Serbia (1)

Milan Ristic | Ran 2016 Camel City Elite 60m Hurdles | Eliminated in Heat 5 of men’s 110m Hurdles

United States (9)

Nia Ali | Finished 2^nd at 2016 Camel City Elite 60m Hurdles | Silver medalist in women’s 100m Hurdles

Amber Campbell | Facility record holder in women’s weight throw | 6^th Place in women’s Hammer Throw

Kristi Castlin | Finished 3^rd at Camel City Elite 60m Hurdles | Bronze medalist in women’s 100m Hurdles

Matthew Centrowitz | Won 2016 Camel City Elite mile in 3:54.02 | Gold medalist in men’s 1500m, the first such medalist for the United States since 1908

Paul Chelimo | Ran at JDL multiple times while competing for UNC-Greensboro | Silver medalist in men’s 5000m, the first medal in this event since 1964

Ashton Eaton | Competed at 2016 Camel City Elite in Shot Put, 60m Dash and 60m Hurdles | Gold medalist in men’s decathlon, only the third two-time gold medalist in this event

Brianna Rollins | Won 2016 Camel City Elite 60m Hurdles | Gold medalist in women’s 100m Hurdles

Shannon Rowbury | Won 2015 & 2016 Camel City Mile | 4^th Place in women’s in 1500m

Raven Saunders | Facility record holder in women’s shot put set while a senior in HS | 5^th Place in women’s Shot Put

ABOUT JDL FAST TRACK (www.jdlfasttrack.com)

JDL Fast Track is a privately owned facility that is quickly becoming one of the premier indoor track and field venues in the southeast. Opened in 2012, the facility houses a 200-meter oval track with a Mondotrack FTX surface—the same surface used at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. With a seating capacity of 1,700, ten HD televisions showing real-time event results, and five high definition projector screens for video playback, JDL Fast Track offers fans a unique track and field experience.

To date, JDL Fast Track has hosted three national championships:  2014 NCAA Division II, 2015 NCAA Division III and 2015 USATF Masters Indoor.  In March, JDL Fast Track will serve as the host for the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.