Three Former Florida Track and Field Standouts Advance at U.S. Olympic Trials
Friday, June 27, 2008 | Track and Field
Former University of Florida track and field standouts Hazel Clark (Livingston, N.J.), Kerron Clement (LaPorte, Texas) and Mike Morrison (Willingboro, N.J.) each advanced to the semifinal rounds of their respective events on Friday at the United States Olympic Track and Field Trials held at historic Hayward Field.
Clark, competing for Nike, clocked the second-fastest time in the women's 800-meter run on Friday. Clark, who qualified for the trials with a time of 1:59.07, finished in a time of 2:03.65 to advance to the event's semifinals, slated to be held at 7:25 p.m. EDT Saturday.
“I feel great,” Clark said. “I took off really under control and I'm feeling really good for tomorrow. When you are trying to qualify for your third Olympic team, there's always a little more pressure and more expectations.”
Clement, also competing for Nike, advanced to the semifinals of the men's 400-meter hurdles, finishing second in his heat and fifth overall in a time of 49.13. The semifinals of that event will be contested at 6:55 p.m. EDT Saturday.
“It felt good out there today,” Clement said. “Basically, my goal was just to qualify for the semifinals, and I did that. It is tough to race in lane eight, but I was able to advance.”
Morrison finished 11th overall in the qualifying round of the men's long jump with a leap of 25-8/7.82m (+1.4) on his final attempt. The long jump final commences at 6:15 p.m. EDT Sunday.
Current Florida sophomore Carlos Phillips (Winter Park, Fla.) finished 28th in the quarterfinals of the men's 800-meter run in a time of 1:49.84.
Former Gator Rickey Harris (Centreville, Va.) also participated in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing 21st in the quarterfinal round in a time of 50.56.
Complete daily coverage of current and former Gators in the 2008 U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials will be available at www.GatorZone.com.
CURRENT GATORS IN COMPETITION ON FRIDAY
Men's 800-Meter Run Quarterfinals
28. Carlos Phillips – 1:49.84
FORMER GATORS IN COMPETITION ON FRIDAY
Men's 400-Meter Hurdles Quarterfinal
5. Kerron Clement – 49.13 Q
21. Rickey Harris – 50.56
Women's 800-Meter Run Quarterfinals
2. Hazel Clark – 2:03.65 Q
Men's Long Jump Qualifying
11. Mike Morrison – 25-8/7.82m (+1.4) Q
END OF REPORT
