UVA alumna Bridget Williams earned a gold medal in the pole vault on Sunday, winning at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon. (Photos by Johnny Pace)
The United States Olympic roster continues to add athletes affiliated with the University of Virginia.
The latest American Wahoo to qualify for the Summer Games in Paris is alumna pole vaulter Bridget Williams, who became a national champion on Sunday, winning at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏 🏆
Former Cavalier, Bridget Williams clears 4.73m/15-6.26 to win the US Olympic Trials and book her ticket to Paris in the women's pole vault!#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/bexfAce4xy— Virginia Track & Field and Cross Country (@UVATFCC) July 1, 2024
Meet your women’s pole vault team! Next flight: @Paris2024 🚀
🥇 Bridget Williams | 4.73m
🥈 Katie Moon | 4.73m
🥉 Brynn King | 4.73m
#TrackTown24 x #TrackFieldTrials24 pic.twitter.com/J1BAZCNwRo— TrackTown USA (@TrackTownUSA) July 1, 2024
Williams, after placing 11th in Friday’s qualifying round, made the major jump to first place Sunday, clearing 15 feet, 6 1/4 inches with no misses. She was the only competitor to clear five heights on her first attempt in the final. She only missed the bar when it was raised to 15 feet, 8 1/4 inches.
BRIDGET WILLIAMS IS HEADED TO PARIS!!!
UVA alum, Bridget Williams (formerly Guy) is your 2024 US Olympic Trials Champion 🤩#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/L3LsTxCke2— Virginia Track & Field and Cross Country (@UVATFCC) July 1, 2024
Williams, the former Bridget Guy, was a three-time All-American at UVA. She received both her bachelor’s (French in 2018) and master’s (education in 2019) degrees from the University. In a UVA Today feature from January 2020, Williams said one of the things she cherished most about her time on Grounds was the experience she had with the School of Education and Human Development.
“I had genuine relationships with my teachers,” Williams said. “They supported me in my meets – they came to the ACC Championship. They’re small things that really mean something to me.”
Williams will make her Olympic debut in Paris. The Games begin July 26 and run through Aug. 11. Other Hoos on the U.S. team include swimmers Alex Walsh, Gretchen Walsh, Emma Weber, Kate Douglass and Paige Madden, tennis players Danielle Collins and Emma Navarro, soccer player Emily Sonnett and equestrian Will Coleman.
Rower Skylar Dahl, a rising senior, and goalball player Matt Simpson, a UVA Law alumnus, will compete in the Paralympic Games, which will also be held in Paris from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Assistant Athletic Communications Director (CC, T&F) Virginia Athletics
yzw5nd@virginia.edu (434) 365-9413
December 21, 2024
