By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

Despite posting a personal best time, Pass Christian native Cory Magee won’t be participating in her second consecutive Summer Olympiad.
On Sunday night, McGee competed in the finals of the US Women’s 1500 meter run, which served as qualifing heat to decide the United State Olympic Team in the event for the upcoming Summer Games in Paris, France.
McGee turned in her top time ever, eclipsing the magical four minute mark at 3:57.44, but she would finish fifth and only the top three runners will comprise Team USA.
“I just saw my coach and I said ‘How can I be upset?’” McGee told reporters, after the race. “Obviously, mid-race, all I’m thinking is ‘win, top-3, I want to make the team,’ but I didn’t look at the time once. And when I finished, I waited and waited and waited and saw 3:57. As many people know, breaking four has been quite a conquest for me for some time and I did it today.
“But, for it to take 3:55 to make the team. All I can say is that the point is to send the strongest team to bring home medals and obviously that’s what the women’s 1,500 is doing right now.”

The top six times broke the previous U.S. Olympic Trials record, set by third-place finisher Elle St. Pierre. Nikki Hiltz established the new record of 3:55.33 in finishing first, followed by Emily Mackay in the second spot at 3:55.90 and St. Pierre at 3:55.99.
McGee finished in fifth, but smashed her previous best time by almost three full seconds.
McGee was a member of the 2021 USA Olympic Team that traveled to Tokoyo. And she started her quest for back-to-back berths on Team USA in fine fashion, placing first in her quarterfinal heat on Thursday and fourth in the semifinals to advance on to the final heat.

After an All-American prep career at Pass Christian High School, in which broke several state records in earning numerous state championship medals, she proceeded on to the University of Florida and continued that level of success.
She was the 2011 Pan Am Games U20 Gold Medal Champion and 2011 USA Juniors Outdoor Champion in the 1500-meters which brought her another Gold Medal. 
She claimed a 2013 SEC Championship in the 3000-meter race indoors and the 1,500-meter outdoor race. She was the NCAA runner-up in the 1,500 outdoors.