Former Gators Clark, Clement Advance to Finals at US Olympic Trials
Saturday, June 28, 2008 | Track and Field
Former University of Florida track and field standouts Kerron Clement (LaPorte, Texas) and Hazel Clark (Livingston, N.J.) each advanced to the finals of their respective events on Saturday at the 2008 United States Olympic Track and Field Trials at historic Hayward Field.
Clement finished first in the semifinals of the men's 400-meter hurdles in a time of 48.20 to advance to the event's finals, which take place at 7:17 p.m. EDT Sunday.
“It is very important to win your semifinals because it gets you a good lane in the finals,” Clement said. “It felt really good. Everybody wants to win their heat with a good time.”
Clark advanced to the finals of the women's 800-meter run, finishing third in the event in a time of 2:02.14. The women's 800-meter run finals commence at 11:15 p.m. Monday.
Former Florida sprinter John Capel (Brooksville, Fla.) moved into the semifinals of the men's 100-meter dash by finishing 11th in the qualifying round in a time of 10.16 (+1.4) before returning to run a 10.06 (+1.6) and post an 11th-place finish in the quarterfinal round. The semifinals of the men's 100-meter dash take place at 7:49 p.m. Sunday.
Current sophomore Gator sprinter Jeremy Hall (Jacksonville, Fla.) advanced to the quarterfinals of the men's 100-meter dash, posting a time of 10.26 (+1.8) in the qualifying round. He ran an identical 10.26 (+1.6) in the quarterfinals, but was unable to advance.
In late results from Friday evening, former Florida thrower Rachel Longfors (Erhard, Minn.) finished eighth in the discus to advance to that event's finals with a toss of 181-10/55.42m. The finals will be held at 6:15 p.m. Sunday.
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 SATURDAY
Men's 100-Meter Dash Qualifying
23. Jeremy Hall – 10.26 – 10.259 (+1.8) q
Men's 100-Meter Dash Quarterfinals
24. Jeremy Hall – 10.26 – 10.260 (+1.6)
FORMER GATORS IN COMPETITION ON SATURDAY
Men's 100-Meter Dash Qualifying
11. John Capel – 10.16 – 10.151 (+1.4) Q
Men's 100-Meter Dash Quarterfinals
11. John Capel – 10.06 – 10.053 (+1.6) Q
Men's 400-Meter Hurdles Semifinals
1. Kerron Clement – 48.20 Q
Women's 800-Meter Run Semifinals
3. Hazel Clark – 2:02.14 Q
Discus
8. Rachel Longfors – 181-10/55.42m q
END OF REPORT
