Crawford launches run for Olympics

Shawn Crawford’s bid for a 2012 Summer Olympics berth hits full stride today at the U.S. Olympic Trials at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.
Crawford, the Van Wyck native and former Indian Land High  star athlete, will run in the 200-meter qualifying race today at 4:45 p.m.
Crawford, 34, will be seeking to be among the elite eight to advance to the 200-meter finals at 7:50 p.m. Sunday. The top three finishers Sunday make the U.S. Olympic team.
Crawford, after leaving Indian Land High where he was a state champion sprinter to launch his track career, produced an outstanding college career at Clemson where he captured 11 All-America honors and three national championships.
Crawford is participating in his fourth Olympic Trials. He was the gold medalist in the 200-meter dash at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece and a medalist in the event in 2008 in Beijing, China as well. Crawford will compete in the qualifying round of the 200 dash. In addition to the 200 meters, Crawford might also bid run on the 4-by-100 relay team.
Crawford was hoping to have another reason to be involved in the XXX Olympiad in London.
His wife, sprinter Virginia “Ginnie” Powell Crawford, just missed making the U.S. Women’s track and field team as a sprint hurdler. She was fourth in the 100-meter hurdles, posting a 12.90 last Saturday in Eugene, Ore. Dawn Harper won with a 12.73, with Kellie Wells second at 12.77 and Lolo Jones third in 12.86.
The Crawfords were married in 2010.