Posted: June 24, 2005

Athletics: UA's Gatson and Lincoln Advance at USA Championships

CARSON, Calif. – The USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships started late Thursday night at the Home Depot Center and five current and former Razorback athletes began their quest to earn a spot on the America’s World Championship Team.
Daniel Lincoln had the best showing when he recorded the fastest qualifying time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Lincoln is the defending USA champion and finished first in his heat with a time of 8:35.32. The finals are scheduled for 12:45 p.m. PT on Saturday.
Terry Gatson was also able to advance in the 400 meters when he turned in a time of 46.07 in the first round. Gatson was in a loaded and fast heat with Olympic gold medalist Jeremy Wariner (45.29), 2003 world indoor champion Tyree Washington (45.95) and former LSU standout Kelly Willie (46.04). The semifinals will be run tonight at 7:10 p.m. PT.
Coming off a fourth-place performance at the NCAA Championships sophomore Adam Perkins was hoping for another strong 1,500-meter race on Thursday night. The effects of a long collegiate season showed and Perkins was unable to move on to the finals when he finished with a time of 3:49.10. Defending U.S. champion Alan Webb won the heat with a clocking of 3:44.32.
Other former Hogs that competed on Thursday included Jeremy Scott who did not clear a height in the pole vault and James Hatch did not start in the 800 meters after he aggravated a back injury.
On Friday three sprinters will take to the track. In addition to Gatson in the 400 meters, Tyson Gay (100-meter dash) and Maurice Bridges (400-meter hurdles) will both run in the first round of their respective events. Junior two-time All-American javelin thrower Eric Brown is UA’s only field athlete seeing competition.