USF grad Octavien seeks spot in Olympics

With the Olympics coming up quickly, there's always an intriguing search for athletes with local ties, and there's a great story in the Marco News on former USF track and field standout Dayana Octavien, who is trying to qualify for the Beijing games as a member of Haiti's national track team. We'll certainly have more on local Olympic hopefuls such as Octavien in the coming months ...

Two familiar names at the NBA's pre-draft workouts this week in Orlando, most notably former USF center Kentrell Gransberry, as well as Hillsborough Community College star Keith Brumbaugh, who considered the Bulls before opting for the draft.

Here's a good story from the Orlando Sentinel's Chris Harry on Brumbaugh, who is hoping to work his way into the first round of the draft despite not playing any major-college basketball. For those of you still holding out hope for USF here, read the entire story: there's not a word about him even considering colleges out of HCC.

If Gransberry wants to become USF's second draft pick in three years, this is a big week for him, with a chance to prove himself while surrounded by potential second-rounders. (Photo courtesy AP)

At least one blogger is tagging Gransberry as a sleeper not to be overlooked. Bleacherreport.com lists him among 10 players who have remained under the radar but are worthy of draft consideration.

-- More hoops: Looks like USF was in the mix for a talented 2009 guard from Charlotte named Malik Stith, but he has committed to St. John's. Stith lists USF among seven schools he considered. I'm making calls this week to lots of 2009 basketball recruits, trying to take the 20 players who list the Bulls among their options on major recruiting sites and pare that list down to a smaller list of realistic options for the Bulls. The geography is interesting -- obviously a lot of Florida players, but big clusters in Georgia and suburban Washington, D.C., as well.

-- So FAU formally introduced Mike Jarvis on Tuesday, and I think the smartest part of the hire is the buyout clause, after seeing Matt Doherty and Rex Walters bolt after a combined three seasons. Jarvis is due to make $175,000 a year, but his buyout in the first year is $300,000, dropping to $200,000 the rest of the way. Look for former USF forward Orane Chin to try for a face-to-face meeting with Jarvis very soon, and if FAU doesn't work out, he could wind up at Tulane, or in the Atlantic 10.

Comments

[Norb]

The article on Octavien does have a misleading statement -- "She would be assured of a trip, however, by reaching the 'A' standard — 61 meters."

Countries can send a maximum of 3 competitors per event if all 3 competitors have reached 'A' standard. So if 3 other Haitians reached 'A' standard with better marks than Dayana, she wouldn't be on the team. Based on wording, appears as though Haiti doesn't have 3 athletes capable of hitting that 'A' standard.

Countries can send 1 athlete per event if no athletes have reached 'A' standard but at least one athelete has reached 'B' standard.

Even if she's the best Haitian discus thrower, unless she reachs 'B' standard she can't represent her country in that event.

[G.A.]

I think the story mentioned that only two athletes are trying to represent Haiti in her event.

[Norb]

Thanks Greg, don't know how I missed that in the article. "A" standard and she's in, that would be very cool!