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Kayaker Sets Aside Books For Shot At Olympic Glory

(AP) -- Caroline Queen is setting aside her school books for a shot at Olympic glory.

The women's slalom kayaker from Darnestown, Md. is among those competing this week at the Olympic team trials at Charlotte's U.S. Whitewater Center. A 19-year-old student at Davidson, Queen took the semester off to focus on securing the lone spot available for women's single kayak for the American team.

Although Olympic spots won't be determined until after the World Cup this summer in Great Britain, she's currently first in points heading into an important weekend.

Queen, who came up short in her bid to make the Olympic team as a 15-year-old, says making the U.S. team would be a "supreme honor," one she's worked hard to achieve since beginning paddling at age 9.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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