Wariner, Merritt Easily Qualify for 400 Meter Finals

Posted July 1st, 2008 at 12:30 AM by Jay Hicks

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

All 400 meter roads lead to Waco, Texas, three runners from Baylor University made it to the 400-meter finals Saturday night in Hayward Field.

Jeremy Wariner said, “I came to qualify and get a preferred lane for the finals tomorrow. LaShawn [Merritt] and I were not trying to kill each other. Making the Olympic team is not guaranteed, so I have to focus on running my own race.”

In the first heat Reggie Witherspoon (44.99) a Baylor alum took the heat, followed by Darold Williamson, also a Baylor University alum.

In the second heat, number one ranked 400 meter runner Wariner (44.66) won his quarterfinal heat in 44.69, ahead of LaShawn Merritt (44.76).

There was almost a mutual understanding among the veteran runners to save the heavyweight battle for Thursdays final. Wariner while running an easy race, came off the final curb in good position, and with power during the homestretch. The reigning Olympic and World champion was even looking around at the finish line.

Merritt sat in second place most of the race and seemed at ease. He didn’t make a move to contest Wariner’s lead once he confirmed that he had run well enough to move forward.

Heat 1
1 Reggie Witherspoon Nike 44.99 Q
2 Darold Williamson Nike 45.16 Q
3 Calvin Smith unattached 45.43 Q
4 Lionel Larry U S C 45.55 Q
5 Jamaal Torrence Nike 45.76
6 Quentin Iglehart-Summers Baylor 45.84
7 Jordan Boase Washington 46.60
8 Fernada Blakely unattached 46.72

Heat 2
1 Jeremy Wariner adidas 44.66 Q
2 LaShawn Merritt Nike 44.76 Q
3 David Neville Nike 45.03 Q
4 Greg Nixon Asics 45.20 Q
5 LeJerald Betters Baylor 45.55
6 Miles Smith South East Missouri 46.32
7 Erison Hurtault RIADHA 46.34
8 Obra Hogans Shore A C 46.37

This article was written by TheFinalSprint.com guest contributor Jay Hicks of the popular running blog PreraceJitters.com.

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