A U.S. Army radiologic technologist (RT) hopes to secure a spot on the U.S. Olympic track and field team for the summer games in Paris, according to an Army News Service report.
Sgt. Colett Rampf is participating in the U.S. team trials currently underway in Eugene, OR, an Army spokesperson confirmed. She runs the 3,000-meter Steeplechase, an obstacle race that includes a water jump and hurdle, the article noted. The first round for the women's 3,000-meter Steeplechase is scheduled for June 24 at 5:59 p.m. PT and the finals will be held on June 27 at 7:18 p.m. PT.
"Making the Olympic team is the ultimate goal at the end of the day," she said in the report. "I want to represent the Army as best I can. It would mean a lot to me."
Rampf grew up in Premnitz, Germany, and came to the U.S. for college on a scholarship with Saint Leo University in St. Leo, FL, according to an Army profile. At Saint Leo's, she ran cross country and track; in 2020 she joined the Army. In 2022, she represented the Army's Fort Carson Garrison in Colorado Springs for the Army Ten-Miler, women's division, winning first place, and in 2023, she took second place in the event. In January of this year, Rampf won gold at the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship, which was held in Richmond, VA. She has been honored seven times with the title of NCAA All-American, which is bestowed yearly on exceptional U.S. athletes in a specific sport.
"It makes me very proud that I have received this unique opportunity to serve this great country while simultaneously participating in track and field at the same time," she said in the profile. "Combining a military career with sports can be very challenging, since it requires balancing rigorous training and discipline of military service, however, it provides valuable opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and leadership development."
