Williams Just Misses a Medal in 100-Meters

Aug. 17, 2008

BEIJING, China – Former University of Miami track star Lauryn Williams finished fourth in the 100-meter final, just missing out on her second Olympic medal in the event. The Jamaican trio of Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart finished first, second and third, respectively.

Williams, coached by UM’s Amy Deem finished with a time of 11.03, Fraser won the race with a time of 10.78.

This is Williams’ second Olympic appearance. She won a silver medal in Athens in 2004 in the 100-meters. Earlier in 2004, Williams won the National Championship in the 100-meters as a member of the Hurricanes. In her three years as an UM student-athlete from 2002-04, Williams earned nine All-American honors.

Earlier in the day Williams qualified for the finals with a third place finish in the first semifinal heat with a time of 11.10. Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica won the heat at 11.00 and Muna Lee of the United States finished second at 11.06.

Deem is also the personal coach for Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, representing the Bahamas, who finished seventh in the final with a time of 11.19. Ferguson-McKenzie was a former volunteer assistant coach with the Hurricanes from 2002-04.

Williams’ Olympic games are not over, as she will run in the 4×100 relay and is listed as an alternate for the United States in the 200-meters.