June 25, 2009
EUGENE, OREGON - In the only final involving an Aggie on day one of the USA Track & Field Championships, Zuheir Sharif finished eighth with a wind-aided mark of 52-3.25 (15.93) in the men's triple jump.
Advancing to the semifinal of the women's 400 was Jessica Beard, who placed third in her heat with a 52.78. In the women's 100, Texas A&M volunteer assistant coach Muna Lee claimed a heat win in 11.01 seconds and moved on to the semis.
Friday's action at Hayward Field will include live coverage on ESPN from 7 to 9 p.m. (CT). The women's 100 final will be a feature race during the broadcast. Lee won the Olympic Trials 100 title last summer on the same track.
Beard, the NCAA 400 silver medalist, ran in the same heat as 2007 NCAA champion Natasha Hastings, who won in 52.16, while Dominique Darden (52.33) finished second.
In the men's 400 prelims both Justin Oliver (47.03) placed sixth in separate heats. Neither qualified for the semifinal.
In the first round of the women's 100 Jeneba Tarmoh ran a windy time of 11.32 for sixth place in her heat, which was won by Lee (11.01).
With all four heats wind-aided, Lee's time was equal to the fourth fastest time as the field was trimmed from 25 entrants to 16 for the semifinals. Carmelita Jeter posted the top time of 10.88 while Texas' Alexandria Anderson won another heat in 10.92. Lauryn Williams was the other heat winner in 11.06.