Lauryn Williams couldn’t have done any better in her final chance to prove she deserves a place on the U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team.
Williams, a three-time Olympic sprinter, and driver Jamie Greubel won the last World Cup race before the Olympic Team will be named in Igls, Austria, on Sunday. The Olympic Team will be named later Sunday.
Williams and Greubel won in a two-run time of 1 minute, 46.28 seconds. Americans Elana Meyers and Aja Evans were second, .13 behind, followed by German Anja Schneiderheinze.
Greubel won her first career World Cup race and passed Meyers for second place in the World Cup standings behind Canadian Olympic and world champion Kaillie Humphries. Williams, too, won her first World Cup gold medal.
“I think I’ve been learning a lot every week,” Greubel said. “I’m still a pretty new driver. … Lauryn gave me an awesome start both runs.”
Williams, the 2004 Olympic 100m silver medalist, is in her rookie season of bobsled. She’s is vying for one of three U.S. Olympic push athlete spots with Evans, Lolo Jones and Katie Eberling.
“I had no idea what was in store for me this season,” Williams said, according to U.S. Bobsled. “I just wanted to come in with positive energy and help out. This is the first time I’ve been a part of a true team sport, and there’s someone else counting on you. You can’t let that person down, and that’s what drives me. It’s very important to give everything I have whenever I’m on that start line.”
Jones, with driver Jazmine Fenlator, finished seventh after being in 11th after the first run. Jones competed in 100m hurdles at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and picked up bobsled after the London Olympics.
Evans is considered a lock to be Meyers’ push athlete in Sochi. Eberling has the most experience with Greubel, but they never won a race together, a feat Williams can now lay claim to. Jones has the most experience with Fenlator.
Igls Two-Woman
1. Jamie Greubel/Lauryn Williams (USA) 1:46.28
2. Elana Meyers/Aja Evans (USA) 1:46.41
3. Anja Schneiderheinze/Stephanie Schneider (GER) 1:46.42
7. Jazmine Fenlator/Lolo Jones (USA) 1:47.01
