Lauryn Williams Cruises into 100-Meter Semis at World Championships

Aug. 16, 2009

BERLIN – Former University of Miami star Lauryn Williams advanced through the first two rounds and into the semifinal of the 100-meter dash at the 2009 World Track and Field Championships at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

The UM star cruised in her quarterfinal heat, crossing the finish line first in 11.06 seconds. Fellow countrywomen Muna Lee and Carmelita Jeter also advanced to tomorrow’s semifinal at 1:05 EST. To advance to the final, Williams will have to finish in the top-four of her semifinal heat.

Williams’ first race of the day came in the seventh of nine opening round heats at 12:37 p.m. local time. The American won the heat with a time of 11.34 seconds, advancing to the quarterfinal later in the day.

This is Williams’ third appearance at the World Championships, winning the gold in Helsinki in 2005. She is also a two-time Olympian, winning 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.