The big news for the state capital was that Montgomery Whitewater Park hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials for canoe slalom and kayak cross over the weekend, an event that drew large crowds and showcased one of Montgomery's newest recreational attractions.

Canoe slalom has been described as similar to skiing, with athletes guiding their boats around gates, but against time rather than head-to-head competition. Kayakcross, a new Olympic event, sees four kayakers go head-to-head down rapids around gates.

RELATED: Montgomery's Whitewater Park hosts Olympic Trials

The biggest story of the weekend was that North Carolina's Evi Leibfurs recorded the fastest times in both the kayak and canoe slalom events, making her the only woman to qualify for the Olympic Games in the women's canoe slalom out of a field of about 70 athletes.

“This has been an amazing weekend for me and I'm really proud of how I raced this weekend. Overall it was amazing, emotional and a lot of fun,” said Leibfahrt. “It's been a dream of mine for a long time to go to Paris so I'm really excited to make it happen.”

This will be Leibfaart's second Olympic Games. She first competed at the Tokyo Games when she was 16 years old, making her the youngest athlete to compete in the canoe and kayak events at the Olympic Games.

The final U.S. team spots will be decided in two weeks in Oklahoma City.

Developed by Southern Whitewater Development Group, the 120-acre park is the third Olympic-caliber pumped whitewater park in the country.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News.