Waubonsie Valley High School will be represented at the 2016 Olympics, courtesy of University of Texas track star Morolake Akinosun. She was selected as part of a 6-woman team that will prepare for the 400-meter relay.
Akinosun had failed to qualify at the U.S. Olympic Trials last week, having finished fourth in the 200-meter semifinals and fourth in the 100-meter finals.
Akinosun, a 2012 graduate, still holds five Waubonsie Valley school records in the 400-meter relay (2010), 800-meter relay (2009), 1600-meter relay (2009), 200-meter (2012) and the 100-meter in 2012, which is also an IHSA State record.
At the University of Texas, Akinosun was a 13-time Big 12 champion and also holds the NCAA record in the 400-meter relay in 2014. She is also one of two women in NCAA history to place in four events at the NCAA Outdoor meet in back-to-back years, joining only Jackie Joyner-Kersee. In addition, Akinosun had previously won a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in the 100-meter relay.
Akinosun is one of two Indian Prairie School District athletes competing in the Olympics, Earlier this summer, Neuqua Valley graduate Kevin Cordes qualified for swimming in the 100-meter- and 200-meter-breaststroke.
The 2016 Olympics take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5-21. Events can be seen on NBC, NBC Sports Network and the Rio 2016 app.