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Former Track and Field Standout Viktoriya Rybalko Qualifies for Olympics
July 8, 2008
ORONO, Maine--Former University of Maine women's track and field standout Viktoriya Rybalko has qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in the long jump. Rybalko won the long jump at the Ukraine Olympic Trials. Rybalko, from Zaporzhye, Ukraine, jumped distances of 6.76 meters (22 feet and two inches) and 6.72 meters (22 feet and one-half inch) to qualify for the Olympics. She is ranked in the top 19 for long jumpers in the world. Rybalko was a standout sprinter and jumper for Maine from 1999-2003. She was a six-time New England champion in indoor track, a two-time champion in outdoor track and won 10 America East championships while setting 11 school records. In 2003, Rybalko led the women's outdoor team to the New England Championship. She then placed second at the NCAA Championships in the long jump and received All-American honors for her effort. Rybalko was also the 2003 recipient of the prestigious Dean Smith Award which is presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes. For more information on women's track and field, visit www.GoBlackBears.com.
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