Aug. 18, 2009
BERLIN, Germany: August 18, 2009 - Rising senior Aleesha Barber (Decatur, Ga.) and former Nittany Lion Toyin Augustus have both advanced to the semi-finals of the 100-meter hurdles at the IAAF World Championships, held at Olympic Stadium. Augustus, who competed in the first of five heats, qualified via one of the top four qualifying spots in her preliminary race, while Barber earned a spot in the next round on time thanks to her prelim performance.
Augustus, who is running for Nigeria, placed third in her preliminary heat with a finishing time of 12.99. Dawn Harper of the United States won the heat with an effort of 12.70, followed by Jamaica's Delloreen Ennis-London, who finished in 12.73. Barber - in the red and black of Trinidad and Tobago - would clock 13.19 to finish sixth in her section, and earn one of the four time qualifying slots in the semi-finals. Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Canada won the heat with the fastest mark of the day - 12.56.
The 100 hurdles semi-finals are scheduled for 12:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. Barber has drawn a spot in the first of three heats, while Augustus is scheduled to race in the second.
Both athletes will be making their first career appearance in the semi-finals at an international championship competition. Augustus is making her second-career showing at the IAAF World Championships after competing in 2007. Both Barber and Augustus represented their respective countries at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008.