Aggie alum Ameer Webb qualifies for 200m final at IAAF World Championships

LONDON – Texas A&M alum Ameer Webb advanced to the final of the 200m as a runner-up in his semifinal heat on a rainy day at London Stadium, posting a time of 20.22 seconds (0.3 wind). The final will be run on Thursday at 9:50 p.m. (3:50 p.m. CT).
 
An upset victory in the women's 400m final had Phyllis Francis producing a career best of 49.92 for gold. Francis, who trains in College Station with Texas A&M assistant coach Vince Anderson, was in third place with 40m remaining. Her strong finish had her passing American teammate Allyson Felix and then Rio Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas.
 
Finishing behind Francis was another strong closer in Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, who edged out Felix for silver, 50.06 to 50.08. Miller-Uibo placed fourth with a 50.49.
 
"Being world champion sounds pretty cool," said Francis, who placed fifth in the Rio Olympics and seventh at the 2015 World Championships. "Allyson and Shaunae are amazing finishers, we're that talented. When I went down the home straight I just believed in myself and stayed patient. I just knew what I was capable of doing, so I stuck to my race model.
 
"At the finish line I was surprised, I thought I was second or third, but then they told me 'you are first'. That's crazy."
 
Webb, a three-time NCAA 200m, produced a strong curve to start the race. Racing in lane 5, with 400m champion Wayde Van Niekerk in lane 6, Webb pushed the pace early and led the field heading into the homestretch.
 
With 20 meters left in the race, Turkey's Ramil Guliyev edged into the lead and won the third semifinal heat in 20.17 while Van Niekerk placed third in 20.28 and advanced to the final on time.
 
"That was the plan, to get out really hard, knowing Van Niekerk is a 400m runner and he has a lot of strength," stated Webb, who reached his first final in a World Championships. "I wanted to put some cushion between me and him, so when he hit it at the end I would still have room to accelerate and finish in the top two.
 
"I was a little skeptical at first. I didn't realize that I came off the bend in first. So, I was just waiting for someone to come and challenge me. When they did, I just tried to respond and made sure I was in the top two."
 
Webb will race in lane 9 in the final while Van Niekerk is stationed in lane 3.
 
"Gold is all I'm looking for in the final," noted Webb. "It's fine if I don't, since I've never made a final before on this level. This is big time for me. Real big time."
 
Thursday's schedule includes javelin qualifying for Ioannis Kyriazis, who will be in group B, along with the women's 200m semifinal with Simone Facey racing in the second heat in lane 6.
 
2017 IAAF World Championships – Schedule for Texas A&M Athletes
(London time listed first, followed by Central time)
 
Thursday, August 10
      8:35 p.m.      2:35 p.m.          M Javelin    Qual B           Ioannis Kyriazis
      9:05 p.m.      3:05 p.m.           W 200m    Semi              Simone Facey
      9:50 p.m.      3:50 p.m.            M 200m    FINAL            Ameer Webb
 
Friday, August 11
    10:00 a.m.      4:00 a.m.               M Dec    100m            Lindon Victor
    11:05 a.m.      5:05 a.m.               M Dec    Long Jump    Lindon Victor
    12:55 p.m.      6:55 a.m.               M Dec    Shot Put       Lindon Victor
 
      5:00 p.m.    11:00 a.m.               M Dec    High Jump    Lindon Victor
      8:45 p.m.      2:45 p.m.               M Dec    400m            Lindon Victor
      9:50 p.m.      3:50 p.m.           W 200m    FINAL            (Simone Facey)