Ex-Davidson runner qualifies for U.S. Olympic Trials

Davidson grad Erin Osment, who earned All-American honors in track her senior year, has qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon.

Osment posted a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes, 18 seconds during the Jacksonville (Fla.) Bank Half Marathon on Jan. 3. That time was not only setting a personal best in the event, but it beat the qualifying time for Olympic marathon trials – scheduled for Feb. 13 in Los Angeles – by 42 seconds.

“I’m really excited about the PR and the Olympic Trials cut after a decent fall of training,” Osment said in a prepared release. “It was an incredibly well set up race … and I felt strong.

“I’m so happy to have Coach (Jen) Straub continuing to guide me, and could not be more excited to debut in the marathon at the Olympic Trials.”

Osment is the third Davidson athlete to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials, joining current Wildcats swimmers Katy Williams and Luke Burton.

Osment, a native of Atlanta, won two Atlantic 10 titles her senior year – the women’s 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs – then finished 11th at the NCAA Division I Eastern Regional in the 10,000 to qualify for the NCAA National Championships.

At the NCAA Nationals, Osment finished 14th and earned second-team All-American honors. She became just the second Davidson track athlete to become an All-American, and the first since Kristen Meister finished 11th in the women’s high jump at the NCAA Nationals in 2007.

“Transitioning from college running to professional running is met with challenges,” Straub, Davidson’s director of cross country and track and field, said in a prepared release. “Erin worked through the process and continues to grow in the sport.

“For her to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the marathon after her outstanding track career speaks volumes about her drive. Her motivation and talent will continue to propel her to great heights in our sport. I’m very proud of Erin and look forward to seeing her compete this spring.”

Sargent wins amateur title

Davidson golfer David Sargent came away from a sudden-death playoff with the 2015 Country Club of North Carolina Amateur title, played Dec. 20-22 in Pinehurst.

Sargent, a senior and Cornelius native, beat out North Carolina freshman Joshua Martin in the playoff to become the first Wildcats player to win the CCNC Amateur title since Jackson Taylor in 2011.

An all-Atlantic 10 selection his junior year, Sargent forged a tie with Martin after an eagle on the par-4 15th hole. He then made a 15-foot birdie putt in the first playoff hole to win the match.

“This is definitely a great confidence builder to carry momentum into the spring season,” said Sargent, who finished the three-day tournament at 5-under-par 211.

Volleyball signs 4 players

Davidson’s volleyball team, which finished seventh in its first Atlantic 10 season, has added four players for the 2016 season.

The Wildcats signed libero Elise Edman of San Diego, Calif.; right hitter Emily Kane of Dallas, Texas; and outside hitters Emma McLaughlin of Montclair, Va., and Josie Treadwell of Los Angeles.

In addition to the four signees, Davidson will return 12 players from last year’s team – including A-10 rookie of the year Sabrina Shepherd – that finished 12-16 overall and 6-8 in conference matches.

“This class is a great mix of immediate impact and potential,” Wildcats coach Chris Willis said in a prepared release. “We’ve addressed the needs of our program for 2016 and beyond, so we’re extremely excited to add these young women to our team.”

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Ex-Davidson runner qualifies for U.S. Olympic Trials."