June 11, 2008
DES MOINES, Iowa - The University of Miami's track and field teams will open the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships with success at the first day of competition Drake University's Drake Stadium.
Four-time All-American and six-time ACC Champion Tim Harris won the first of four preliminary heats in the 800-meters with a time of 1:49.70, qualifying him for tomorrow's semi-final round at 6:25 p.m. The top three finishers in each heat advance to the semi-final round as well as the next four best times.
For the women, freshmen sensations Ti'erra Brown and Takecia Jameson both advanced to the semi-final round in the 400-meter hurdles. Of the five preliminary heats, the top two finishers plus the next six best times move on to Thursday's 5:45 semi-final round.
Brown ran a 57.98, finishing second in the fifth preliminary heat, while Jameson won the second heat with her third-best time of the season at 58.39.
The Southeast Region Field Performer of the Year Khadija Talley advanced to Friday's final round in the discus with a qualifying mark of 51.39m (168-07) on Wednesday. Of the 29 competitors in the discus, only 12 move on to the final. Talley's mark was the eighth-best of day.
Talley will be participating in the qualifying round of her second national championship event tomorrow as she will compete in the shot put at 7:15 p.m.
Junior Viktoria Andonova failed to qualify for the high jump final, as she leapt to her third-best height of the season at 1.74m (5-08.50).
The 4x100 relay team of Tara Thomas, Kristy Whyte, Charlene Fuller and Krista Simkins also will not be advancing as they finished 18th with a time of 45.54.
Also in action tomorrow for the women will be the 4x400 relay team of Ena Leufroy, Tameka and Takecia Jameson and Kristy Whyte. Their start time is scheduled for 7:40 p.m.
All start times are Central Standard Time.
