Hillsdale College Congratulates Amanda Eccleston on 2016 Olympic Trial Performance
July 14, 2016
Hillsdale, Michigan – Hillsdale College today congratulated former Chargers track-and-field star Amanda Eccleston (née Putt) for her stunning, photo-finish performance during the 1500m final at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Eccleston finished with a time of 4:06:19, three-hundredths of a second behind thirdplace finisher and Olympic qualifier Brenda Martinez.
“I’m happy with how I ran today,” Eccleston said during an interview with Letsrun.com. “Physically I don’t think I could have done anything else. I’m super pleased with how I finished. I’m only 26, so I look forward to coming back and competing again in four years.”
Eccleston holds the Hillsdale College record in the mile, 800 meter, 3K and 5K races. She was a biology major and graduated in 2012 before competing at the University of Michigan for one year. She now runs professionally for Brooks Running.
“Amanda was a tremendous talent at Hillsdale,” said Don Brubacher, athletic director for the college. “Her drive to achieve excellence in every way, including her academic life, is why she has risen to this elite level. It is a testament to the character built at Hillsdale College. We wish her even greater success in future competitions.”
The team trials were held July 1-10 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.