El Toro’s Terrell Gets U.S. Olympic Canoe Berth

Jim Terrell of El Toro won the men’s 500-meter single canoe at the U.S. Olympic canoe and kayak trials Saturday in Raleigh, N.C., qualifying for his third Olympic team.

Sheila Conover of Newport Beach and Cathy Marino of Huntington Beach moved closer to berths on the Olympic team with second- and third-place finishes in the women’s 500-meter kayak.

Terrell’s time of 1 minute 58.52 seconds edged Newport Aquatics Center teammate Fred Spaulding of Costa Mesa, who finished second in 1:59.46. David Spaulding of Newport Beach was fifth in 2:04.62.

“I kept my technique together the whole way and raced a real consistent race,” Terrell said. “I was a little bit behind until the last 100 meters, and I made a little bit of a move and pulled ahead at the very end.”

Terrell and Wyatt Jones of Honolulu were second to the Spaulding brothers in the 500-meter double canoe in 1:49.35. The Spauldings finished in 1:49.19. Olympic berths in that event will be decided today.