Track & Field: Jock bound for Rio

Former UC Irvine All-American Charles Jock earned a berth on the U.S. Olympic team for the upcoming Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Jock finished third in the 800-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Monday at the University of Oregon.

He came from near the back of the pack around the final turn to finish in a season-best 1 minute, 45.48 seconds.

The top three earned berths on the U.S. track & field team that will compete Aug. 5-21 in Rio.

Jock is the first UCI track and field alumnus to earn an Olympic berth since Steve Scott in 1988. Scott was also an Olympian in 1980 and 1984.

Mike Powell, who competed three years for the Anteaters’ track and field program (1982-84) before transferring to UCLA for his senior season, was also a three-time Olympian (1988, 1992 and 1996).

Jock, a three-time All-American and Big West Conference Athlete of the Year in men’s track, become UCI’s first NCAA individual champion in 34 years when he won the 800 meters at the 2012 meet.

Jock joins former UCI men’s volleyball All-Americans and national champions David Smith (Team USA) and Kevin Tillie (France), as Anteaters competing in Rio.

UCI women’s water polo coach Dan Klatt will be serving as an assistant coach with the U.S. women’s team, while former UCI swimmer Dave Durden will be an assistant on the U.S. men’s swimming staff.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports