July 25, 2008
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Olympian and recent Washington State University graduate Diana Pickler joined Cougar Head Track and Field Coach Rick Sloan for the latest edition of Cougar Chats, presented by Northwest Dodge Dealers. Fans can read a transcript of the chat by clicking HERE
Pickler, a 2007 graduate of WSU and four-time All-American, finished third in the women's heptathlon at the USA Olympic Trials to secure a spot on the USA Olympic team for the 2008 Games in Beijing. She will be the first American woman from WSU to compete in the Olympic Games in track and field.
Pickler will be one of four former Cougar track and field athletes who will be competing in Beijing. In addition to her, Bernard Lagat (1500m and 5000m), and Ian Waltz (discus) will be competing for the United States. Anson Henry (100m and 4x100m relay) will be competing for Canada.
All of the aforementioned athletes worked under the tutelage of Sloan while at Washington State. Named as WSU's head track and field coach in June of 1994, Sloan has directed 37 WSU student-athletes to NCAA Outdoor All-American status 63 times and directed 26 student-athletes to NCAA Indoor All-American status 39 times. In his 14 years as head coach, Sloan has seen Cougar men set 12 school records and Cougar women set 41 school records.
Cougar Chats, Copyright 2008, Washington State University Athletics. All rights reserved.
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