Posted: August 12, 2005

Athletics: Hemingway, Phillips advance in morning qualifying in Helsinki

HELSINKI - 2004 Olympic medalists Matt Hemmingway and Dwight Phillips moved on to the finals in their respective events during Friday's early competition at the 2005 World Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Helsinki.

Clutch efforts place Hemmingway in high jump final

2004 Olympic silver medalist Matt Hemmingway (Manhattan, Kansas) came through when he absolutely had to in Group A of men's high jump qualifying to advance to the final.

Hemingway missed twice at 2.24 meters/7 feet, 4.25 inches before clearing the bar on his third and final attempt. He missed his first two attempts at 2.27m/7-5.25 before sailing over the bar safely to move on to the final Sunday night.

Also in Group A, 2005 NCAA Outdoor champion and USA Outdoor runner-up Jesse Williams (Raleigh, N.C.) cleared 2.24m/7-4.25, while 2004 NCAA Outdoor runner-up Kyle Lancaster (Fort Scott, Kansas) leaped over the bar at 2.20m/7-2-50 in Group B. Neither Williams or Lancaster will compete in the final.

Phillips advances in men's long jump

Defending world champion and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Dwight Phillips (Kennesaw, Ga.) easily qualified for the men's long jump final in action earlier on Friday.

Phillips' day was done when his first attempt in Group B qualifying was measured at 8.59 meters/28 feet, 2.25 inches. He executed the jump with a +3.3 meters per second wind at his back.

Also in Group B, 2005 USA Indoor champ Brian Johnson (Baton Rouge, La.) finished 10th with a best of 7.91m/25-11.50.

In Group A qualifying, 2005 USA Outdoor champion Miguel Pate (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) finished sixth with a best of 7.70m/25-3.25, and 2005 World Outdoor triple jump champion Walter Davis (Baton Rouge, La.) finished ninth with a leap of 7.42m/24-2.25.

Neither Johnson, Pate or Davis qualified for the final

Elsewhere, three-time USA champion and 2004 Olympian Kim Kreiner (Baton Rouge, La.) competed in women's javelin throw qualifying this afternoon, and her first attempt was her best (55.05 meters/180 feet, 5 inches). Kreiner, who placed tenth in Group A, will not advance to the final. In the men's 50 km race walk 2001 U.S. champion Philip Dunn finished 23rd in 4 hours, 25 minutes, 27 seconds.

For more information on Team USA at the 2005 World Outdoor Track & Field Championships, visit USATF.org