Although the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials are not over, they are for Tim Glover and Aisha Praught, who both competed at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. but fell short of achieving their Olympic dreams this season.

Glover competed in the javelin and first had to make it through preliminary throws on June 23, where he finished as the top qualifier to advance to the finals with a throw of 263-04. In the finals on Monday, Glover was in eighth place after his first throws, but with a throw of 250-00, he was able to better his position and move into fifth place. But with his three remaining throws, Glover was unable to move up in the ranks and finished the competition in sixth place, missing the mark to head to the London Olympics.

“It was a great experience,” Glover said. “Since it’s the Olympic trials, everybody is shooting to qualify for this, and it’s pretty much the main stage. It was an honor to compete against some of the best throwers in the country and even competing with the best athletes from around the world."

Daily Vidette Archive Photos Tim Glover, javelin thrower on ISU’s track and field team, and Aisha Praught, former runner for ISU, both miss their marks while participating in the Olympics trials in Eugene, Ore.    

Though the throws may not have gone in his favor, the Normal, Ill. native had a record-setting season, winning the NCAA javelin title for the second year in row while setting ISU and Missouri Valley Conference records as well as being named the Men’s Field Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, which is the first time a Redbird has received the honor.

Praught, a veteran of the ISU track and cross country teams who just graduated last month also competed in the trials. She ran in the semi-finals of the 3,000 meter steeplechase where she posted a time of 9:55.78. The time set her in 16th overall after the heats, but only the top 14 got to advance to the finals.

Despite not getting their desired results, neither Redbirds plan on throwing in the towel. Praught has recently signed with an agent to continue her running career and Glover will be heading to Mexico as a representative for the U.S. in the Under-23 North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships in Mexico July 4–9.

“After that I might do a little bit of training. I might try to do a couple meets in the summer near Chicago, just for fun … then I’ll start enjoying my summer, just relaxing and waiting for school to start,” Glover said.

ISU still has some aspiring Olympians with throwers Brittany Smith and Leigh Petranoff. Smith did not qualify in the hammer throw last week, but will compete in the shot put qualifier on Thursday. If she has success there, she will advance to the finals in the event the next day.

Petranoff will compete in the qualifier for the javelin on Thursday and hopes to advance to the finals taking place on Sunday in order to get a spot on the Olympic roster.