Former University of Florida sprinter Novlene Williams-Mills (St. Ann, Jamaica) qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in the 400-meter dash as a member of the Jamaican National Team on Sunday at National Stadium.
Williams ran a time of 50.11 in the event's final to advance to the second Olympics of her career after also participating in the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece.
Williams-Mills is the third athlete with Florida ties to have qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games, joining Kerron Clement (US – 400 IH) and Tiandra Ponteen (St. Kitts – 400m).
Former Gator Andrea Bliss (Kingston, Jamaica) finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.96 (+0.1), while Sekou Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica) was 14th in the semifinals of the 400-meter dash in a time of 46.75.
Current Florida track standouts Lorain McKenzie (Clarendon, Jamaica) and Kallinka Pitt (Largo, Fla.) each advanced to the finals of their respective events, but did not qualify for the Olympic Games. Pitt finished eighth in the 100m hurdles in a time of 14.14 (-0.5) and McKenzie was ninth in the 800m, finishing in 2:21.21.
FORMER FLORIDA ATHLETES AT THE JAMAICAN OLYMPIC TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS
Women's 400-Meter Dash Finals
2. Novlene Williams-Mills – 50.11
Women's 100-Meter Hurdles Semifinals
4. Andrea Bliss – 12.96 (+0.1)
Men's 400-Meter Dash Semifinals
14. Sekou Clarke – 46.75
CURRENT FLORIDA ATHLETES AT JAMAICAN OLYMPIC TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS
Women's 800-Meter Finals
9. Lorain McKenzie – 2:21.21
Men's 110-Meter Hurdles Finals
8. Kallinka Pitt – 14.14 (-0.5)
END OF REPORT
