Williams Advances To Olympic 100-Meter Final

Aug. 21, 2004

Athens, Greece (hurricanesports.com) – Former University of Miami sprinter Lauryn Williams (Rochester, Pa.) continued her march towards the Olympic 100-meter Gold medal winning her semifinal heat in a time of 11.01 seconds.

Williams, the 2004 NCAA Champion at 100-meters, will go for the gold at 3:55 p.m. (ET).

Miami volunteer assistant coach Debbie Ferguson, competing for the Bahamas, was fourth in her semifinal heat in a time of 11.04 seconds to also move on to the 100-meter final.

Williams, competing in her first Olympic Games, is no stranger to international success having won a total of five medals, including three gold medals, while representing the United States in international competition.

Williams captured gold medals in the 100-meters and 4×100-meter relay at the 2003 Pan American Games as well as a silver medal in the 4×100-meter relay at the 2003 World Championships.

In 2002 Williams won the gold medal in the 100-meters and a silver medal in the 4×100-meter relay at the World Junior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.

Earlier in the day former Hurricane Patrina Allen finished sixth in her preliminary heat of the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 56.40 and did not advance.