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Baylor Trio Makes U.S. Olympic Trials Semifinals

Posted at 10:45 PM, Jul 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-01 23:45:34-04

EUGENE, Ore. - On the first day of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, three athletes with Baylor ties all made the semifinals of their respective events in action at Hayward Field Friday. 

Freshman Wil London and former Bear Jeremy Wariner both qualified for the 400-meter semifinals, while outgoing senior Olicia Williams advanced out of the first round of the 800 meters.

London, a freshman from Waco, Texas, was the lone Bear to auto-qualify for the semifinals. In the first heat of the 400-meters, London placed second out of lane eight with a time of 45.76. That mark was ninth-fastest in first round competition. After winning the USATF Junior Championships 400-meter title on Sunday, London is the only current BU athlete in the Olympic Trials field.

Wariner, who is looking to qualify for his fourth Olympics, advanced to the semifinals by running a 45.88 to place fourth in his heat and 12th overall. He was third among the six individuals who advanced based on time. Wariner appeared to be near the back of his heat at the halfway point, but closed strong to make it to the next round.

Williams, who closed out her BU career in June at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, produced a personal-best time of 2:02.22 to qualify for the semifinals. She bolted to the front of her heat 200-meters in to the race and was second after one lap. She remained just off the lead for 300 more meters, but got passed by two runners down the home stretch and finished fourth in her heat. However, Williams’ time was the 11th-fastest overall and fifth out of six athletes who advanced on time.

OTHER NOTABLES

  • Former Bear James Gilreath finished seventh in his 800-meter heat and 19th overall and did not advance out of first round action with a time of 1:48.67.

WHAT’S NEXT
On Saturday at the meet, Olicia Williams will run in the 800-meter semifinals at 1:43 p.m. CT, while Wil London and Jeremy Wariner race in the semifinals of the 400 meters at 3:46 p.m. CT.

Running in their first races at the meet, Tiffany Townsend will take part in first round action of the 100 meters at 2:33 p.m. CT and Trayvon Bromell will also compete in the first round of the 100 meters at 3:01 p.m. CT.

NBC, NBCSN and the NBC Sports app will have full television coverage of the meet each day.

COMPLETE BAYLOR RESULTS
Q or q = qualify for semifinals
400 Meters
Men - First Round

9. Wil London - 45.76Q
12. Jeremy Wariner - 45.88q

800 Meters
Women - First Round
11. Olicia Williams - 2:02.22q

Men - First Round
19. James Gilreath - 1:48.67

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