The Tiffin University Men's Track and Field team has three athletes competing in the United States Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

Juniors Nik Curtiss, Ralph Casper, and alumni Coy Blair are all set to compete in the Shot Put at the Olympic Trials. The trio make up 1/8th of the total US team at the Trials. The top 24 throwers in the nation will compete at the trials, with the top three landing spots on the US Olympic team.

Coy Blair attended Tiffin University from 2015 to 2017. In that time he was a three-time NCAA Champion (indoor and outdoor shot put, once in indoor weight throw). His qualifying mark for this Olympic Trial is 19.94m. Blair previously was the only TU track athlete to ever compete at the Olympic Trials, making the cut in 2016. He landed five First Team All American honors while with TU, making six national appearances.

Nik Curtiss was a top performer for Tiffin this season with a second-place finish at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Nationals in the shot put. He qualified with a mark of 19.78m. Curtiss has a total of seven All American honors in his career. He also finished as national runner-up in shot put at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March.

Ralph Casper was another outstanding athlete for Tiffin University this season as he was an NCAA Division II Outdoor Nationals qualifier. His qualifying mark for the Olympic Trials is 19.30m. He was the NCAA National Champion in indoor shot put in March.

The trio are set to compete on Friday, June 18, 2021, at 3 p.m.

"To qualify someone to the Olympic Trials is a tremendous feat," said Head Coach Jeremy Croy. "Qualifying someone in the most competitive event in the United States is even more amazing. To qualify three Dragons shot putters to the Olympic Trials is unbelievable!

"I'm so proud of Coach Robinson, Nik, Coy, and Ralph for their relentless work day in and day out. We will be watching these folks represent the rest of the team, coaches and university at a world class level."

"When I first joined the track program, reaching the US Olympic Trials seemed like a pipe dream," said Throws Coach Ray Robinson. "Then when Coy made it in 2016, I thought it was a once in a lifetime experience. For Tiffin to have three qualifiers in this event is unheard of. These three athletes represent Tiffin very well at every level. I am immensely pround of these guys, and appreciative of the direction and support from Coach Jeremy Croy and Athletic Director Lonny Allen in getting the track program to where it is right now." 

"I think it is amazing that we have three of our athletes that have qualified for this prestigious event," said Athletic Director Lonny Allen. "It is a testament to the performance historically of our track program. I want to thank Coach Croy and Coach Robinson for their leadership with these outstanding young men. I wish them all the luck in the world."

For more information or follow along with the trials go to https://www.usatf.org/events/2021/2020-u-s-olympic-team-trials-track-field