Posted: August 28, 2007

Athletics: US Men's sprinters advance through first rounds in Tuesday a.m. competition

OSAKA, Japan - Team USA's men's 200m and 400m sprinters showcased their talents during Tuesday morning qualifying at the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Nagai Stadium. Reigning World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner (Waco, Texas) opened the men's 400m first round with a win in Heat 2, running a brisk first 200 and strolling across the finish line in 45.10 seconds. Two-time USA Outdoor Championships runner-up LaShawn Merritt (Suffolk, Va.) took the lead in Heat 4 with 60 meters to go and won in 44.78. 2000 Olympic 400m hurdles gold medalist and 2007 USA Outdoor 400m champion Angelo Taylor (Decatur, Ga.) easily qualified for the next round with his runner-up time of 45.13 in Heat 6. 2007 NCAA Outdoor Championships runner-up Lionel Larry (Los Angeles, Calif.) answered the gun in Heat 7, but stopped with 200 meters to go with an injury to his right hamstring. The men's 400m semifinals will take place Wednesday evening, with the final on Friday night. Tyson Gay (Fayetteville, Ark.) hit the track for the first time since his 100m triumph Sunday night and won Heat 2 of 200m qualifying in 20.46 seconds. In Heat 5, Rodney Martin (Los Angeles) won in 20.44, and 2005 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist Wallace Spearmon (Fayetteville, Ark.) placed third in Heat 6 in 20.45 seconds. All three Americans advanced to this evening's second round. In women's hammer throw qualifying, 2006 USA champion Jessica Cosby (Mission Hills, Calif.) threw 67.90m/222-9, 2007 USA runner-up Kristal Yush (Baton Rouge, La.) had a best mark of 64.63m/212-0, and 2007 USA champion Brittany Riley had a best throw of 55.72 meters/182 feet 10 inches, but none qualified for the final. 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. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest