By Dale Miller
A long time Dinos Track and Field champion will be setting her sights a little higher by representing Canada at the Amateur Athletic Federation World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki, Finland, Aug. 5-14.
Jessica Zelinka, a fourth-year communications student and pentathlon specialist won her spot at the world championships after winning a stunning 11th place spot at the Hypo Gortzis Invitational Meet in Austria last weekend.
Zelinka scored personal bests in the javelin, long jump and 400m events on her way to a personal best total of 6,137 points–just nine points shy of a top ten finish. The prestigious event was won by reigning world champion Carolina Kluft, who racked up 6,824 points.
Earning a spot in the World Championships should be redemption for Zelinka, after narrowly missing the cut for the 2004 Olympics due to a technicality in the 200m event.
During four years of university competition Zelinka has earned a long list of credentials, including three Canadian Interuniversity Sport Female Track Athlete of the Year awards in 2001, 2003 and 2004, as well as being a key player in the Dinos domination of the Canada West Women’s Track and Field Championships.
Next up for Zelinka in her rigorous European campaign is a competition for combined events in Arles, France Jun. 4-5.