LaRon Bennett, an assistant track and field coach at Drake University, is set to compete in the men's 400-meter hurdles on Thursday, July 7, at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Ore.

Bennett has competed in the last three Olympic Trials and will be aiming for a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team by recording a top-three finish in the event. His first qualifying race is scheduled for 8:53 p.m. CDT on July 7.

Action from Eugene's Hayward Field will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network and streamed online at www.nbcolympics.com.

Should he advance out of the first round, he will race in the semifinals on July 8 at 6:47 p.m. followed by the finals on July 10 and 6:51 p.m.

Leading up to the Trials, Bennett has recorded a season-best time of 49.82, set in Atlanta on June 4. That time ranks among the top 70 in the world and top 20 in the U.S. The 33-year-old owns a personal best of 48.74 in the event.

In 2012, Bennett finished 11th at the Olympic Trials in 50.48 after making the finals and finishing eight in 2008. At his first Olympic Trials in 2004, he finished seventh. 

Bennett was a three-time All-American at the University of Georgia and served as the team captain. Since joining the coaching staff at Drake in 2012, he has guided the Bulldogs to tremendous success in the hurdles and has coached Drake's hurdlers to four MVC titles and 13 All-MVC honors during his tenure.

Bennett's quest to make the U.S. Olympic Team has also garnered local attention. Below are stories from local television affiliates on Bennett's journey.

KCCI - Drake Coach Chases Olympic Dream

WOI - One Last Hurdle to Clear for Drake Track Coach LaRon Bennett Jr.'s Dream to Come True