Over the weekend, track and field competition began in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games. By the end of day three on Sunday, a couple of former Bruins advanced to the semifinals of their events, and another two got their starts and quick ends in the qualifying rounds of their events.
Dawn Harper, a 2006 alumna, finished second in her heat of the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.73. For the recent grad from St. Louis, Ill., the time was sixth overall and good enough for a berth in the semifinals. The results of the semifinal were not available as of press.
Sheena Johnson Tosta is still on track to avenge her fourth-place finish from 2004 in Athens, Greece. In the heats of the 400-meter hurdles, Tosta, class of 2005, placed fifth but her time of 56.12 was good enough to make it to the semifinals.
Discus thrower Suzy Powell, class of 1999, and 400-meter hurdler Jonathan Williams, class of 2005, had their Olympic bids come to an end by day two of competition in the “Bird’s Nest” Olympics stadium.
Powell, who was the runner-up at the U.S. Olympic Trials, threw 190 feet, 4 inches in the preliminary round and was not able to advance. The former All-American finished 26th overall and 15th in her flight. Powell competed in her third Olympic games and will take the rest of the summer to decide her future as a professional track athlete.
Williams placed fourth in his heat with a time of 49.61 and moved on to the semifinals. Running 49.64, Williams earned a sixth-place finish in heat two and did not advance. He placed 13th overall and ran for Belize, since his parents are from the country and rules allow children of citizens to compete for the nation.
Williams made history for Belize as he was the first runner to ever advance in the Olympics.
WATKINS “GLAMOUR”-IZED: Rhonda Watkins, who will enter her senior year in the fall, was named one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women. Watkins will compete in Beijing for her native Trinidad and Tobago in the long jump in hopes for a medal.
The 2007 indoor and outdoor NCAA champion in the long jump, Watkins suffered from a hamstring injury throughout the season last year but was still able to make it to the NCAA Championships. The Glamour September issue will feature Watkins and nine other women, a tradition the magazine has carried for 51 years.
BOLTING TO A WORLD RECORD: In other track and field action from the weekend, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt cruised easily to the 100m gold medal and broke his own world record. Even though Bolt started his celebration before the finish line, he was still able to post a time of 9.69. America’s Walter Dix placed third at 9.91. American favorite Tyson Gay did not qualify for the finals.
Hyleas Fountain took the bronze for the U.S. in the heptathlon. Fountain finished with 6,619 points and won the 100m hurdles and the 200m.
Christian Cantwell and Shanlane Flanagan added to the American medal count by winning a silver medal and a bronze, respectively. Cantwell was second in the shot put with a throw of 68-10 and Flanagan completed the 10,000m in a new American record of 30:22.22.