Pierre runs world-lead, Gardner looks good; Gay runs wind-aided 9.75 in semis 2
DES MOINES, Iowa (Sporting Alert) – Tyson Gay blazed to a wind-aided 9.75 seconds to win his semi-finals of the men’s 100m dash at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday.
Gay’s time was assisted by a +2.4 m/s following wind.
Justin Gatlin came home second in the heat in 9.89, with Michael Rodgers (9.90) and Isiah Young (9.93) also booking spots in tonight’s final.
Charles Silmon had earlier booked his spot by winning semis number one with a wind-aided 9.85secs, beating Rakieem Salaam (9.86), Dentarius Locke (9.86) and Trell Kimmons (10.02). Jeff Demps ran 10.07 and failed to make it through after crossing in fifth.
Walter Dix pulled up midway through the race and jogged across in 14.19.
Barbara Pierre flashed to a fast 10.85 seconds personal best to win the first semi-finals of the women’s 100m with a time that is currently the fastest in the world so far this season.
Aurieyall Scott of University of Central Florida posted 10.96secs and finished ahead of Muna Lee and Charonda Williams, who both ran 11.07 and win their places in the final later on tonight as well.
English Gardner won the second semis also with a personal best of 10.87 seconds. This is the second quickest 100m performance thus far for 2013.
The recently crowned NCAA champion from Oregon paced home University of Central Florida’s Octavious Freeman, who crossed the line at 10.91, Alexandria Anderson (10.91) and Jeneba Tarmoh (10.98) to set up what could be a very fast final tonight.
2005 world champion Lauryn Williams ran the seventh fastest time of the semis, at 11.00, but will have to watch the final from the stands.
