Posted: August 29, 2007

Athletics: USA athletes qualify in Wednesday a.m. events

OSAKA, Japan - Team USA athletes in a variety of events competed well and advanced during Wednesday morning qualifying at the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Nagai Stadium. Reigning world women's 200-meter champion Allyson Felix (Santa Clarita, Calif.) opened qualifying in that event with an impressive win in Heat 1 (22.50) as all four American athletes moved to tonight's second round. Also winning their heats were 2004 Olympian LaShaunte'a Moore (Akron, Ohio), who won Heat 2 in 22.93 seconds, and 2006 World Athlete of the Year Sanya Richards (Austin, Texas), who won Heat 4 in 22.74. 2003 World Outdoor Championships 200m silver medalist Torri Edwards (Corona, Calif.) was the runner-up in Heat 6, finishing in 22.90. Two women will appear in the 1,500m semifinals on Friday. Four-time NCAA All-American Erin Donohue (Haddenfield, N.J.) ran a spirited race in this morning's qualifying, placing sixth in Heat 2 in 4:10.89 seconds. In Heat 3, Treniere Clement (Knoxville, Tenn.) found an opening in the pack with 300 meters to go and finished second in 4:10.85. Christin Wurth-Thomas (Springdale, Ark.), who placed 10th in Heat 1 in 4:20.21 will not advance. Two-time Olympic silver medalist and 2007 USA champion Terrence Trammell had little difficulty in winning Heat 1 in men's 110m hurdles qualifying in 13.40 seconds. In Heat 5, David Payne (Cincinnati, Ohio), who arrived in Osaka yesterday as a substitute for injured American record holder Dominique Arnold, advanced with his third-place finish in 13.27. In Heat 3, 2007 USA Outdoor third-place finisher David Oliver (Orlando, Fla.) was fifth in 13.66 seconds, reaching for his right hamstring as he crossed the finish line. All three Americans advance to Thursday night's semifinals. In men's long jump qualifying, reigning world and Olympic champion Dwight Philips (Snellville, Ga.) sailed to the final with first-attempt, automatic qualifier of 8.22 meters/26 feet 11.75 inches. He'll be joined in the final by teammates Trevell Quinley (Sacramento, Calif.), who had a best of 7.99m26-2.75, and 2005 USA outdoor champion Miguel Pate (Tuscaloosa, Ala.), who had a best of 8.10m/26-7. In women's javelin throw qualifying, national champion Dana Pounds finished 14th in her group with a best throw of 55.00 meters/180 feet 5 inches, and will not advance. For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit USATF.org. Fans can watch Team USA on national television broadcasts on NBC and Versus, or online via live, daily Webcast at www.wcsn.com. For complete TV listings, visit USATF.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest