Posted: Jun 28, 2024
Koala Graduate Students Jesi and Tori Whatley to compete in US Olympic Trials
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Columbia College women's track and field Race Walk All-Americans Victoria and Jessica Heiser-Whatley completed their collegiate eligibility for Columbia College last month at the NAIA outdoor championships.
However, two weeks later they qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials as they were ranked 12th and 13th in the United States and in the top 300 globally for the 20km (12.5 miles) race walk event. Their qualifying times of 1:48:14 and 1:52:09 equate to walking a half-marathon in under 2 hours.
The field of 18 women will race on a road course in Eugene, Oregon on Sat., June 29 with a 7:30 AM PST start time.
"We're competing against several Olympians, national record holders and a former world record holder. We're not likely to qualify for the Paris Olympics, but this is a great experience preparing us for the 2028 Los Angeles games," said Jesi, who is older by seven minutes.
Victoria added, "We've been racing since we were about eight years old, taken several national titles each and raced for the U.S. national team, but this is the highest level of competition either of us has ever faced. It's going to be a lot of fun and a lot of hard work."
The Olympic Trials are a family affair as Ian Whatley, the sister's father who is an assistant track and field coach at Columbia College, traveling to Oregon to hand out drinks during their race. Their mother Susan Heiser, will also be at the event working. She is a World Athletics level official for track and field.
"I'm proud of Jesi and Tori for not only making the Olympic Trials but for maintaining their grades and working as officials at track meets each summer while training once or twice a day," commented Whatley.
Jesi and Tori will return to Columbia College in the fall to continue their Masters degree in Organizational Leadership.
USATF confirmed the qualifiers for the US Olympic Track and Field Trials. Here is a link to the list of qualifiers: