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Daily Ducks Olympic Digest: Aug. 8
08/08/24 | General, Track and Field
Jaida Ross turned in the first of the Ducks' six finals-qualifying efforts Thursday.
A daily recap and preview of current and former UO athletes competing at the 2024 Paris Games.
The Day That Was …
After a two-week wait, Jaida Ross made her Olympic debut Thursday with a qualifying performance in the opening round of the shot put. She got the implement out to a day's best 18.58m/60-11.5 on her first attempt which stood up for eighth overall with the top 12 advancing to the final.
Ross went 18.21 on her second throw and then fouled on the third toss. She will throw first in Friday's final and be joined in the field by fellow American Raven Saunders. After three rounds, the top eight in the standings will be re-ordered according to rank and get three additional attempts.
The women's shot put final begins at 10:37 a.m. (PT) with a dedicated stream on Peacock.
The morning session also featured first-round heats of the 4x100 relays. Kyree King (USA) and Kemba Nelson (JAM) both helped their respective countries advance to the finals which also take place Friday. The U.S. men had the fastest qualifying time (37.47) of the day while the Jamaican women ran a season best of 42.35 to advance.
The women's 4x100 relay will go off at 10:30 a.m. (PT) with the men's final to follow approximately 15 minutes later.
Thursday's evening session started with a bang for Klaudia Kazmierska who lowered her lifetime best and own Oregon school record to 4:00.21 in the 1500 meters. With her fifth-place finish in heat one of two, she also qualified for the event final. That time also moves her to No. 3 on the all-time, all-dates collegiate list.
The Women of Oregon will have three in the 1500-meter final with Jessica Hull (AUS) and Susan Ejore (KEN) also qualifying Thursday. Hull had the second-fastest time of the day in 3:55.40 with Ejore taking down her lifetime best with a time of 3:56.57, both in the second semifinal heat.
The women's 1500 final is scheduled for Saturday at 11:15 a.m. (PT).
A Look Ahead …
In addition to finals in the 4x100 relays and women's shot put, Friday's track and field schedule will also feature the women's 10,000 meters. That race will include Alessia Zarbo (FRA) and begins at 11:55 a.m. (PT).
Alaysha Johnson, the U.S. Trials runner-up, will resume her Olympic journey at 3:05 a.m. (PT) with the semifinal round of the 100-meter hurdles. The first two in each heat plus the next two fastest advance to the final.
After a quarterfinal victory Wednesday, Sabrina Ionescu and the U.S. women's basketball team are back in action Friday against Australia with a spot in the gold-medal game on the line. The first semifinal tips at 8:30 a.m. (PT); France and Belgium will square off in the second semifinal at 12 p.m.
The Day That Was …
After a two-week wait, Jaida Ross made her Olympic debut Thursday with a qualifying performance in the opening round of the shot put. She got the implement out to a day's best 18.58m/60-11.5 on her first attempt which stood up for eighth overall with the top 12 advancing to the final.
Ross went 18.21 on her second throw and then fouled on the third toss. She will throw first in Friday's final and be joined in the field by fellow American Raven Saunders. After three rounds, the top eight in the standings will be re-ordered according to rank and get three additional attempts.
The women's shot put final begins at 10:37 a.m. (PT) with a dedicated stream on Peacock.
The morning session also featured first-round heats of the 4x100 relays. Kyree King (USA) and Kemba Nelson (JAM) both helped their respective countries advance to the finals which also take place Friday. The U.S. men had the fastest qualifying time (37.47) of the day while the Jamaican women ran a season best of 42.35 to advance.
The women's 4x100 relay will go off at 10:30 a.m. (PT) with the men's final to follow approximately 15 minutes later.
Thursday's evening session started with a bang for Klaudia Kazmierska who lowered her lifetime best and own Oregon school record to 4:00.21 in the 1500 meters. With her fifth-place finish in heat one of two, she also qualified for the event final. That time also moves her to No. 3 on the all-time, all-dates collegiate list.
The Women of Oregon will have three in the 1500-meter final with Jessica Hull (AUS) and Susan Ejore (KEN) also qualifying Thursday. Hull had the second-fastest time of the day in 3:55.40 with Ejore taking down her lifetime best with a time of 3:56.57, both in the second semifinal heat.
The women's 1500 final is scheduled for Saturday at 11:15 a.m. (PT).
A Look Ahead …
In addition to finals in the 4x100 relays and women's shot put, Friday's track and field schedule will also feature the women's 10,000 meters. That race will include Alessia Zarbo (FRA) and begins at 11:55 a.m. (PT).
Alaysha Johnson, the U.S. Trials runner-up, will resume her Olympic journey at 3:05 a.m. (PT) with the semifinal round of the 100-meter hurdles. The first two in each heat plus the next two fastest advance to the final.
After a quarterfinal victory Wednesday, Sabrina Ionescu and the U.S. women's basketball team are back in action Friday against Australia with a spot in the gold-medal game on the line. The first semifinal tips at 8:30 a.m. (PT); France and Belgium will square off in the second semifinal at 12 p.m.
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