Aug. 21, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Jen Rhines, a 1996 Villanova graduate and former track standout qualified to the final of the 5,000m in her third Olympic Games.

Running on Tuesday in Beijing, Rhines crossed the finish line sixth in her heat with a time of 15:15.12. The top six in each heat, plus three more athletes on time qualified to the finals.

Rhines will run in the final on Friday, Aug. 22 at 8:40 p.m., Beijing time, which is Friday, Aug. 22 at 8:40 a.m. ET.

During her career as a Wildcat, Rhines won five individual NCAA titles, including three consecutive 5,000 meter outdoor titles (1994-96), the 1995 indoor 5,000 meters and the 1994 cross country title. Rhines was also a member of the Villanova 1995 DMR National Championship squad.

Rhines has been inducted into the Villanova Wall of Fame for her outstanding career. In 1994 she won the Honda-Broderick Cup, an award presented annually to the nation's top women's student-athlete, and won the Honda-Broderick Award in 1994 for her efforts on the cross country squad.

Assistant track coach and 2003 graduate, Adrian Blincoe failed to qualify for the final of the men's 5,000m, which took place on Wednesday. Blincoe finished seventh in his heat clocking in with a time of 13:55.27. In the men's race the first four in each heat, plus three additional athletes qualify on time.

Blincoe was running for New Zealand. While at Villanova, he won three NCAA titles and earned seven All-American honors. He is the school record holder in the 3,000m and a member of the school record indoor distance medley relay team.