Local Sports

EUGENE, Ore. — Kevin Dilworth finished 17th in the qualifying round of the long jump, failing to advance to the finals of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Friday at Hayward Field.

Dilworth, a former John Tyler star making his fourth appearance at the track and field trials, maxed out with a jump of 24 feet, 10 inches. Dilworth placed ninth among 10 competitors in the second flight, and 17th out of 24 total jumpers.

The 1999 U.S. outdoors long jump champion posted three clean marks on all three attempts, but was far off from his qualifying distance of 26-0. He missed making the top 12, and advancing to Sunday’s round, by eight inches.

The final qualifying mark of 25-6? went to South Florida’s Mikese Morse.

The top three preliminary marks belonged to Miguel Pate (27-0?), JaRod Tobler (26-9?) and Brian Johnson (26-6?). Walter Davis, the 2006 U.S. outdoors and indoors triple jump champion, fouled on all three attempts and failed to advance.

Prior to the meet, Dilworth said the event would be his last if he did not reach the Olympics.

If true, Dilworth, who now lives in Grand Prairie, wraps up a memorable career after winning a NCAA Division II indoor title in 1995 at Abilene Christian, claiming the national title in 1999, and rising as high as No. 3 in the world. rankings in 2001. Dilworth’s career-best jump of 27-7 ranks 18

th individually on the all-time world rankings list.

In his previous three trips to the trials, Dilworth placed 13th in 1996, 17th in 2000 and 16th in 2004.

“Kevin’s had his time,” Dilworth told the Tyler Paper on Thursday, while anticipating what was likely his final professional meet. “I did what I wanted. …There won’t be a repeat of this.”