Eugene Oregon — Sheldon native A.G. Kruger reached the finals at the U.S. Track and field Olympic Trials Wednesday night in Eugene Oregon but was not able to advance to his fourth Olympic games.
Kruger had reached the finals with a best throw of 240 feet, 6 inches, but he fouled on two of his three throws in the finals to finish fourth. The top three advanced to the Olympic Games. After three rounds of throws the Sheldon native was among nine competitors still in the hunt for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Hammer Throw team.
In all twenty four competed in the qualifying round with the top nine advancing into the final round. Kruger was in third place with a throw of 73.31 meters. Conor McCullough was second at 74.16. Kibwe Johnson was the leader at 75.11 meters.
Kruger now 37 has represented the U.S. at three Olympics games beginning in 2004 in Athens. Next came the 2008 games at Beijing and then the 2012 games in London. The 2016 games are set for Friday August 5th through Sunday August 21st in Rio.
Kruger has been in the elite group of U.S. hammer throwers since the early two thousands winning a total of 14 national titles in the hammer and indoor weight throw. His best throw this year had been 247 feet 1 inch. Going into the Eugene trials his throw of 247-1 had been the top distance in the nation. A.G. Kruger is currently the throws coach at the University of South Dakota.
