Warhawk qualifies for U.S. Olympic Trials

June 21, 2024

Shelvin Garrett II, a physical education major and All-American for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s track and field team, will compete alongside the nation’s best at the United States Olympic Team Trials for track and field on Friday, June 28, at 8:20 p.m. Central Time in Eugene, Oregon.

Garrett will compete in the men’s triple jump, qualifying with a career-best distance of 52 feet, 4.75 inches (15.97 meters), good for 18th among those slated to participate.

“I want to jump far,” Garrett said. “I’m hoping I can make it to round 2 — the top 12 make it. That would be nice. We’ll see how high I can finish.”

He is the fifth Warhawk on record to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in track and field, joining John May (1936), Tom Hoffman (1972), Ryan Meissen (2004) and Dan Hytinen (2012) on the list. Former Warhawk Marcus Smith competed in the men’s triple jump at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in 2013.

Friday’s qualifying session will air on linear TV and online on NBC, Peacock and USA.

“Shelvin is a phenomenal student-athlete and an even better person,” said R.J. Soderman, who coached Garrett in the triple jump and is an academic advisor at UW-Whitewater. “His talent, dedication, and work ethic have made him an All-American and a National Champion. Now, he’s earned the chance to represent the university on the biggest stage, competing against the nation’s best. We are so thrilled he chose to be a Warhawk and can’t wait to see him jump next week.”

 

 

A native of Beloit, Garrett recently concluded his college career as a six-time All-American in the triple jump, including a national championship at the 2024 NCAA Division III Indoor Championships and runner-up finishes at each of the last two national outdoor meets.

Garrett joined the UW-Whitewater family in the spring of 2021 as a transfer student. He was recruited by then-assistant coach — and current head coach — Jace Rindahl to play for the Warhawk football team.

Football teammate Jason Ceniti connected Garrett, a sprinter and jumper as a high school student at Beloit Memorial, to Marlon Cystrunk, who was a two-sport athlete in football and track and field at UW-Whitewater. Cystrunk made the introduction to Mike Johnson, head track and field coach, and Garrett joined the program prior to the 2021 indoor season.

Garrett made an immediate impact on the team, qualifying for the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championship in both the 4x100-meter relay and the triple jump. After one season as a wide receiver for the football team in 2021, he decided to focus on track and field.

Garrett made his leap — literally and figuratively — to the All-America podium in 2022, finishing third in the triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships and fifth at the outdoor championship meet.

Pictured, right: Shelvin Garrett II competes in the long jump. He claimed gold in the triple jump with 15.10 meters (49-6.5) to win the event by nearly two feet.The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's and women's track and field programs wrapped up competition in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 23-24, 2024. The Warhawk men finished fourth while the women were fifth. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

Following his breakout season, he earned two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and has been an All-American in the triple jump at each national meet he’s participated in. He established his personal record distance — and Olympic Trials qualifying mark — in the triple jump on his way to the national title in March.

Garrett credited Soderman, Johnson, and assistant coach Josh Ireland with his development. He also called out his teammates for motivating him to be better — the Warhawk men finished fourth in the nation at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships behind strong performances from Garrett, distance runners Christian Patzka and Gunner Schlender, and the distance medley relay team of Craig Hundley, Kobe Chandler, Rhett Reuter, and Justin Krause.

“At indoor nationals, I finally won a national championship, and we got the team trophy, too,” he said. “Besides getting better at my own event, I wanted the team to get better. Those two happened at the same time.

“I wouldn’t be who I am without those guys. Even though they’re not in my event group, I saw how hard they worked. They helped me mentally and helped lead the team.”

With more classes and his student teaching to complete in 2024-25, Garrett is on track to graduate with a BSE next May. He plans to get into teaching and continue to compete in the triple jump on an individual basis, or unattached, after he receives his degree.

Before that happens, he’ll live out a dream of competing against the best athletes in the country. Garrett has the support of the athletic department and of an engaged, passionate track and field alumni base as he travels west.

“The support of the university and the Warhawk alumni has been amazing,” said Soderman, who will accompany Garrett to Oregon. “We are beyond excited to showcase his ability and thank everyone that has supported him to achieve this prestigious honor.”

The men’s triple jump final is scheduled for Sunday, June 30, at 5:55 p.m. Central Time and can be watched on NBC and Peacock.