ASHLAND — Ashland University grad Kibwe Johnson will have some Eagle company on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team: former AU football and track athlete Carlin Isles.
Isles heard his name called when U.S. Rugby Sevens Head Coach Mike Friday announced the team’s 12-man roster Monday morning.
The 26-year-old Massilon native shared his happiness in making the team with an Instagram post.
“The Dream that Came true Olympics!!” Isles posted. “4 years ago, I gave up one dream to pursue another. I was broke, motivated, driven, and hungry for what God had for me! I prayed and prayed and cried, and God switched my heart and my direction. I trusted him with my life and Gave it all to him! I knew he had something great for me, that the eye couldn’t see. And Gods spirit lead me to where I am today! my dream has come true! I am officially an OLYMPIAN and Headed to the OlYMPICS!”
Isles. known as “the fastest man in rugby,”has been making his mark in the sport since transitioning from track and field to rugby in 2012. Isles still had trained in track leading up to the Olympic Trials and competed in the U.S. Indoor Track & Field Championships, finishing in 5th place in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.67. His top season mark of 10.15 in the men’s 100-meter dash would have allowed Isles to take part in the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials this year, but he chose instead to focus on Rugby Sevens.
Rugby Sevens is described by organizers as a faster version of the traditional sport, with fewer athletes on the field at a time — seven for each side instead of 15.
While at Ashland University, Isles was a four-time track and field All-American – two indoors and two outdoors. He still has the AU record in the indoor 60-meter run (6.68 seconds). On the football field, Isles holds two AU records: longest touchdown play (100-yard kickoff return) and most single-game kickoff-return yards (174).
Following a week of training in Florida, the Rugby Sevens team will travel to Brazil Aug. 1 and begin play at the XXXI Olympic Games Aug. 9-12 at Deodoro Stadium. The American team is seated in Pool A alongside host nation Brazil, Argentina and 2015-16 Sevens Series Champions Fiji.
Johnson will compete in the hammer throw at the Rio Olympics.
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