ITHACA, N.Y. – Rising junior Montez Blair got great news Thursday afternoon, as he earned a spot in the high jump at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.

Blair, who owns the Cornell record in the high jump both indoors and out (7' 3 1/4”), will compete in the 24-athlete field as one of only nine college athletes in the group. The high jump prelims begin at 7:20 p.m. eastern on Saturday night. If he is successful in the prelims and makes the finals, he would have a chance to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Besides Blair, the Big Red will be represented by two alums at the Olympic Trials. Former Cornellian Max King '02 is also in the mix for a berth in the Olympics, as he will attempt to qualify in the 3K steeplechase. King, who remains the Cornell record holder in the steeplechase 10 years later with a time of 8:40.12, will compete on Monday at 8:25 p.m. eastern in the steeplechase qualifying round.

Morgan Uceny '07, the world's No. 1 runner in the 1500 in 2011, will attempt to reach London in the 1500. She is still the Big Red's record holder in three indoor events and four outdoor events, including the indoor 500 and 800 and the outdoor 800. Her qualifying round will take place on Thursday at 6:50 p.m. eastern.

Cornell's record holder in the decathlon, Nick Huber '12, just missed making the Olympic Trials, as did distance runner and rising senior Katie Kellner in the 10K. Both hit the “B” provisional marks for the trials, but neither was accepted.