Pair of Spartans qualify for Team USA Track & Field at Paris Olympics
By Kaleb Kraus
![Jun 22, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Heath Baldwin of Michigan State celebrates after winning the decathlon with 8,625 points during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Jun 22, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Heath Baldwin of Michigan State celebrates after winning the decathlon with 8,625 points during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_8001,h_4500,x_0,y_206/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/137/01j1fwkh7h1525x3ahv7.jpg)
It's nearly that time of the year, as athletes from across the country are currently competing to earn a spot on Team USA for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Michigan State is no stranger to having representation at the Olympic Games. Most notably in basketball, with several former Spartans earning gold medals wearing the red, white, and blue.
That isn't the case this time around, but the Spartans will be well represented in track & field. A pair of Spartans have booked their ticket to Paris.
Tori Franklin made a name for herself at Michigan State in the Triple Jump, and will be making her second trip to the Olympics in the sport. The three-time Big Ten Champion in the triple jump, finished 25th at the Tokyo Games.
She will look to build of a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships. Franklin was able to grab the third and final spot with a jump of 13.72 meters.
Michigan State track & field congratulated Franklin on her accomplishment via their X page.
Tori Franklin earns bronze in the triple jump! 🥉#GoGreen x #TrackFieldTrials24 pic.twitter.com/Zp8NQuyQdW
— MSU Track & Field/Cross Country (@MSU_TFXC) June 23, 2024
Franklin isn't the only Spartan celebrating a great performance at the USA Track and Field Olympic Trials.
She will be joined by fellow Spartan Heath Baldwin in Paris.
Baldwin was fresh off an All-American season in the Decathlon for MSU. Now he was able to go out and showcase his skills in the hardest event in Track and Field on the biggest stage in the United States.
Baldwin has long held a dream of representing the U.S. in the olympics and now that dream is a reality as he was able to win the Decathlon qualifier. He won the event with 8,625 total points.
U.S. CHAMPION. OLYMPIAN. 🇺🇸
— MSU Track & Field/Cross Country (@MSU_TFXC) June 23, 2024
Heath Baldwin is headed to Paris in the decathlon! #GoGreen x #OlympiansMadeHere pic.twitter.com/6M4Tkq1PTd
Baldwin spoke with DyeStat in a video on social media about what it really means to have accomplished his dream.
Working towards a goal 📝
— DyeStat (@DyeStat) June 23, 2024
Heath Baldwin’s Olympic dream began after a great indoor campaign and he continued to see the possibilities of it becoming a reality throughout the outdoor season. #TrackTown24 pic.twitter.com/xbDOm61WDH
It's awesome to see a pair of Spartans heading to Paris, but maybe the sweetest moment from this whole thing was to see Baldwin wearing his Michigan State uniform proudly throughout the grueling two-day decathlon.
Good Luck in Paris, Tori and Heath, all of Spartan Nation will be watching.