Bucknell University Athletics
Sample Wins Gold in 400-Meter Dash at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials
7/19/2024 8:03:00 PM | Men's Track and Field
MIRAMAR, Fla.- Bucknell Class of 2024 graduate Rayven Sample added another gold medal to his treasure chest with a fantasic finish in the 400-meter dash at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials on Friday. Sample ran in the mixed T45-47 Divisions race.Â
Results
"I couldn't have asked for a better performance in the 400m today," said Sample while recovering from the physically draining race. "Words can't express how great hearing 49 seconds over the loud speakers was. It's been a difficult past two years as I've admittedly underperformed consistently. From scoring in the Patriot League to barely racing my high school times hurt. I want to thank the coaching staff and my teammates who never stopped believing in me as I worked to remake the athlete I had been. While Coach A will never accept any form of credit for today's performance, our work together the past weeks since graduation has been so important for making this possible. Coach A will say that I was responsible for this time but I want to credit my fourth all-time best time to the great work of Coach A and Coach Shirk. The final decision from Team USA about the Paris roster will come on Sunday and if I make the team, I'm determined to make my unofficial T45 400-meter World Record into an official record by racing under 49.21 seconds again."
Almost as scorching as the blazing Florida sun, Sample ran a blistering 49.46. The time beat out the silver-place finisher, Tanner Wright, by 0.19 seconds. The Orange and Blue graduate conquered the heat and odds and raced hard down the final stretch to pass up Wright in the final 50 meters. Sample's victory was keyed by his fast start which kept him within striking distance and set up his exhilarating victory.Â
His 49.46 time marks the first time he has broken the 50-second mark in the outdoor 400-meter dash since the 2023 IC4A Championships when he ran 49.79. The mark testifies to his extensive training routine. Sample was a common sight around Bucknell's campus as he remained in Lewisburg for his training. Bucknell sprints coach Richard Alexander's presence at the meet provided an extra boost.Â
"I'm extremely happy for Rayven," said Alexander. "He has worked hard to arrive at this moment. Being able to run his best outdoor 400-meter dash in two years in the biggest moment is a great way to finish. He executed a great race and navigated the heat and wind well. He will have to wait and see but I think that time gives him a great chance of being selected to the Paralympic team."
Sample competes tomorrow in the T45-47 100-meter dash tomorrow at 11:12 a.m. The event will streamed on Peacock.Â
The Public Team Announcement for the Paris Paralympics will be on Sunday, July 21 at 9:30am EST at the Miramar Cultural Center. The doors will open at 9:00am EST.
Results
"I couldn't have asked for a better performance in the 400m today," said Sample while recovering from the physically draining race. "Words can't express how great hearing 49 seconds over the loud speakers was. It's been a difficult past two years as I've admittedly underperformed consistently. From scoring in the Patriot League to barely racing my high school times hurt. I want to thank the coaching staff and my teammates who never stopped believing in me as I worked to remake the athlete I had been. While Coach A will never accept any form of credit for today's performance, our work together the past weeks since graduation has been so important for making this possible. Coach A will say that I was responsible for this time but I want to credit my fourth all-time best time to the great work of Coach A and Coach Shirk. The final decision from Team USA about the Paris roster will come on Sunday and if I make the team, I'm determined to make my unofficial T45 400-meter World Record into an official record by racing under 49.21 seconds again."
Almost as scorching as the blazing Florida sun, Sample ran a blistering 49.46. The time beat out the silver-place finisher, Tanner Wright, by 0.19 seconds. The Orange and Blue graduate conquered the heat and odds and raced hard down the final stretch to pass up Wright in the final 50 meters. Sample's victory was keyed by his fast start which kept him within striking distance and set up his exhilarating victory.Â
His 49.46 time marks the first time he has broken the 50-second mark in the outdoor 400-meter dash since the 2023 IC4A Championships when he ran 49.79. The mark testifies to his extensive training routine. Sample was a common sight around Bucknell's campus as he remained in Lewisburg for his training. Bucknell sprints coach Richard Alexander's presence at the meet provided an extra boost.Â
"I'm extremely happy for Rayven," said Alexander. "He has worked hard to arrive at this moment. Being able to run his best outdoor 400-meter dash in two years in the biggest moment is a great way to finish. He executed a great race and navigated the heat and wind well. He will have to wait and see but I think that time gives him a great chance of being selected to the Paralympic team."
Sample competes tomorrow in the T45-47 100-meter dash tomorrow at 11:12 a.m. The event will streamed on Peacock.Â
The Public Team Announcement for the Paris Paralympics will be on Sunday, July 21 at 9:30am EST at the Miramar Cultural Center. The doors will open at 9:00am EST.
Players Mentioned
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