Five paddlers representing the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Center have inched closer to representing the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Emily Vinson (Women’s Senior K1 1000-meter), Anna Crawford (Women’s Senior/Junor C1 1000-meter), Will Roszel (Men’s Junior K1 1000-meter), Ben Hefner (Men’s Junior C1 1000-meter) and Chelsea Smith (Women’s Junior K1 1000-meter) all took first place at the Flatwater Sprint Olympic Trials on Saturday in Oklahoma City. The wins gives the paddlers an opportunity for a nomination for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Katie Hagler and Emily Mickle also will have that opportunity as the duo were a part of the first-place team in the Senior Women’s K4 500-meter race.

Gainesville residents Robert Finlayson and Alejandro failed in their attempt to qualify for a nomination, finishing second and fifth respectively in the Senior Men’s C1 1000-meter race.

The U.S. Olympic Trials continue today with LCKC paddlers in six of the seven scheduled events.