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OSAKA, Japan - Team USA's women's sprinters led the charge in qualifying action Saturday morning at the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan.
The first round of the women's 400 meters took place this morning with all three Americans easily advancing to the next round. 2007 national champion Dee Dee Trotter (Knoxville, Tenn.) had little difficulty in winning her opening round race in 51.27 seconds. Also advancing comfortably was 2007 USA Outdoor Champs third-place finisher Mary Wineberg, who was the runner-up in Heat 2 in 51.25 seconds. 2007 USA Outdoor runner-up and NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion Natasha Hastings (St. Albans, N.Y.) placed third in Heat 5 in 51.07 seconds in moving to the semifinals.
Team USA women also looked strong in 100-meter qualifying as 2007 USA Outdoor third-place finisher Carmelita Jeter (Long Beach, Calif.) won Heat 1 in 11.07 seconds. Mechelle Lewis (Columbia, S.C.) won Heat 6 in 11.16 and reigning world champion Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.) was the runner-up in Heat 7 in 11.41 seconds. 2003 World Outdoor champion Torri Edwards (Corona, Calif.) won Heat 8 with her time of 11.14.
Two-time USA men's discus throw champion Ian Waltz (Chula Vista, Calif.) placed seventh this morning in Qualifying Group A, with a best throw of 62.67 meters/205 feet 7 inches. Americans competing in Qualifying Group B included 2004 Olympic Trials champion Jared Rome (Chula Vista, Calif.), who had a best throw of 61.87m/203-0, and reigning U.S. champion Michael Robertson (Beebe, Ark.), who had a best toss of 60.39m/198-1. None of the three advanced to the final.
Women's shot put qualifying proved difficult as well, with no Americans making tonight's final. Kristin Heaston (Palo Alto, Calif.) had a best throw of 17.40m/57-1, 2006 USA Outdoor champion Jillian Camarena (Tucson, Ariz.) threw 16.95m/55-7.50 and 2007 NCAA Indoor champion Sarah Stevens (Tempe, Ariz.) had a best toss of 16.87m/55-4.25.
In men's 3,000m steeplechase qualifying, Thomas Brooks (Eugene, Ore.), was 12th in his heat in 8 minutes 56.20 seconds. 2007 USA champion Joshua McAdams (Provo, Utah), placed fifth in Heat 2 in 8:32.46 and 2007 USA Outdoor runner-up Aaron Aguayo (Phoenix, Ariz.) finished 10th in Heat 3 in 8:30.86. None of the three advanced.
In Sunday morning finals action, the men's 20 km race walk was held in brutally hot conditions under an unrelenting bright sun. Three-time USA 20 km champion Kevin Eastler (Aurora, Colo.) was the top American, placing 27th in 1 hour 28 minutes 29 seconds. Two-time Olympian and five-time U.S. 20 km champion Tim Seaman was 30th in 1:33:58.
Notes on Nellie
Adam Nelson's silver medal in the men's shot put Saturday night etched him into history. With silver medals in 2001, 2003 and 2007, and a gold in 2005, Nelson's four World Outdoor Championships medals now make him the most-decorated men's shot putter in World Outdoor history. John Godina owns three golds, but no other thrower has four medals of any color.
His latest silver also makes Nelson the only American athlete in any event to medal in every World Outdoor and Olympic competition since 2000. His results are as follows: 2000 Olympics, silver; 2001 World Outdoors, silver; 2003 World Outdoors, silver; 2004 Olympics, silver; 2005 World Outdoors, gold; 2007 World Outdoors, silver.
For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit USATF.org.
Fans can watch Team USA on national television broadcasts on NBC and Versus, or online via live, daily Webcast at www.wcsn.com. For complete TV listings, visit USATF.org.
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