Former UM Track Stars Begin Olympic Competiton

Aug. 19, 2004

Athens, Greece (hurricanesports.com) – Former University of Miami greats Lauryn Williams and Davian Clarke will begin their quest for Olympic glory when they open preliminary competition in their respective events on Friday.

Williams, the 2004 NCAA National Champion at 100-meters, is scheduled to run in heat three of the 100-meter preliminaries at 11:04 a.m. local time. Should Williams advance to the quarterfinals she would compete again that evening at 8:10 p.m.

Williams, competing in her first Olympic games, qualified for the United States team with a second-place finish in the 100-meters at the USA Olympic Track and Field Trials in Sacramento, Calif.

Williams, who turned professional shortly after the trials, has the third fastest time in the world in the event this year (10.97).

Clarke, who won two individual NCAA 400-meter titles while competing for UM from 1995-98, is no stranger to Olympic competition. This is Clarke’s third trip to the Olympic Games who anchored Jamaica to the bronze medal in the 4×400-meter relay at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Clarke ranks ninth in the world in the 400-meters and earlier this season captured the silver medal in the 400-meters and anchored the Jamaican 4×400-meter relay to the gold medal at the 2004 World Indoor Championships. Clarke’s 400-meter preliminary is scheduled for 9:10 p.m.

Another former Hurricane great Patrina Allen will begin competition in the 400-meter hurdles on Saturday. Allen is making her second consecutive trip to the Olympics competing for Jamaica. She qualified for the Jamaican Olympic team with a second-place finish at the Jamaican Athletic Association Trials. Allen was a six-time All-American at the University of Miami from 1995-98 and currently ranks 30th in the world in the 400-meter hurdles.

Hurricane fans can log onto – www.athens2004.com – for updated results.