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23, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release by Mike Marzolf Photo available upon request |
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Four
former Cougars into women’s 200m Olympic semifinals Campbell won her quarterfinal heat with the best time of the round at 22.49. Campbell has run the fastest time in the world this year with a 22.18 at the Jamaican Nationals. Two more Barton alum joined Campbell in the 1st heat as Moore took 4th and had to wait to see if her time of 22.96 would be one of the four best remaining from those runners that didn’t place in the top 3 each heat. Moore’s time ended up being the 2nd best of the non-automatic qualifiers, putting her in the semifinals. Jones took 6th in the heat with a time of 23.09 – missing the semifinals by the narrowest of margins – .01. The 4th and final non-automatic qualifier spot went to 23.08. "It was a good race," Campbell said in the post race press confernce. "I just tried to go out there with as much energy as possible, and it paid off." For Moore it is all extra since she was added to the USA 200m team after Torri Edwards suspensions were upheld just prior to the beginning of the track events in Athens. "I am so happy to be here. I was training in Arkansas after the Olympic Trials real hard, hoping and praying that I would get to come here." Moore said in the press conference. "I have always wanted to go to the Olympics since I was 12 years old and my goal was to come in 2004. To be able to be here is so beautiful." Bailey took 2nd in the Heat 2 with a 22.97, cruising to the finish with the automatic berth in the semifinals. McDonald joined the list with a 22.99 in the 4th and final heat to capture 3rd and a spot in the semifinals tomorrow. The finals will be run on Tuesday. During the 1st round of competition all five former Cougars placed among the top 3 in their heat with heat wins going to Campbell and Bailey. Campbell breezed to the win in the 1st heat in a time of 22.59, well ahead of the 2nd place of 23.09. Moore, also running the opening heat, took 3rd to advance to the quarterfinals in 23.10. Bailey had a closer battle in her heat, winning the 6th heat in 22.73, just ahead of the runner-up time of 22.75. McDonald cruised to a 2nd place effort in the 3rd heat. The 34-year old kept up with the younger runners, eclipsing the 23-second mark by clocking a 22.90. Jones made her way the quarters by placing 3rd in the 5th heat in a time of 23.20. There were 43 runners participate in the women’s 200m dash, giving the former Cougars nearly 12 percent of the field. That increases to 25 percent of the semifinal field with 4 of 16 being Barton alum. McDonald will be the lone ex Cougar to run in Heat 1 of the semifinals that take place Tuesday at 2:15 pm (CDT). Heat 2 will full of former Cougars as Campbell, Bailey and Moore will all participate in the heat. -30- Check
out Barton County Track Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports
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Veronica Campbell made a statement in her quest for a 2nd Olympic
medal during the 2004 Summer Games in Athens by winning both heats
of her 200m races Monday. Campbell, running for her native Jamaica,
joins 3 other former alumni from Barton County in the 200m semifinals
to be run Tuesday. In addition to Campbell, Aleen Bailey (Jamaica),
LaShauntea Moore (USA), and Beverly McDonald (Jamaica) are all semifinalist
in the event. That gives ex Barton track stars 1/4 representation
in the semis. The Cougars’ LaVerne Jones (Virgin Islands)
missed joining that list by the narrowest of margins.