BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Former CSUB throwers Cecilia Barnes, Arnaldo Cueto, Chris Figures and Tony Thompson will being seeking a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team as competition at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials begins Friday in Eugene, Ore.

Barnes, a five-time NCAA Division II National Champion and a nine-time All-American at Bakersfield, is currently ranked No. 5 among American women discus throwers with a career-best mark of 203-4.5 (61.99m). She will compete in Friday's qualifying round and, should she advance to Sunday's finals, vie for a top three finish and an Olympic Team berth.

Figures and Thompson are both among the field competing in the men's shot put qualifier Friday night. Figures, a three-time Division II National Champion and 11-time All-American, is seeded 11th in the event with a top mark of 66-10.5 (20.38m). Thompson, who was the Division II indoor and outdoor shot put National Champion during his one year with the Roadrunners, has earned the No. 23 seed (63-7 feet/19.38m) in Friday's qualifier.

Cueto, a two-time Division II National Champion and a five-time All-American, competes in the men's hammer throw qualifier on Monday. His mark of 224-9 (68.50m) makes him the No. 23 seed entering the event.

The finals for the men's shot put are scheduled for Saturday, while the men's hammer finals are Monday, July 4. Fans can follow the trials' results at www.eugene08.com or www.usatf.org.