CHICAGO — Hours after one of the highlights of her track career, Chicago's Shamier Little experienced one of her biggest defeats.
Little on Friday finished fifth in the 400-meter hurdles semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, eliminating her from a chance at an Olympic bid to Rio de Janeiro. The Lindblom graduate and three-time NCAA champion in the event was a favorite to earn a trip to the Olympics.
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Dalilah Muhammad 54.14 wins women's 400m Hurdles semi-final 2 at the 2016 USA Olympic Trials.
— Track N Field Junkie (@TnFjunkie) July 9, 2016
Shamier Little 5th... https://t.co/lhKMjUvBG0
The devastating fifth-place showing came only days after Little turned professional early, joining Adidas and forgoing her senior year at Texas A&M.
I never want my heart to be this broke again.
— shambambino (@shamxtrackspike) July 11, 2016
At Lindblom, Little was a megastar as she earned an IHSA state finals team third-place trophy by herself in 2012 by winning three races and finishing second in another.
Her success in high school has resonated at Lindblom, which has sent athletes to the state finals in the three years since her graduation and now has a track team of 20, including sprinters, distance runners and field event participants.
RELATED: How Olympic Hopeful Shamier Little's Success Has Built A Prep Track Program
Little is still revered at Lindblom. The school's principal, Wayne Bevis, said Little "continues to be an inspiration to our student-athletes today." Lindblom's athletic director, Christina Davis, said the school is always keeping tabs of Little's progress on the track.
"Her success catapulted more female athletes interested in track to come out," Davis said. "Now the girls team has two levels — both sophomore and varsity."
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