University of Georgia Athletics
Three Qualifiers Highlight Day At The Games
August 13, 2016 | Track & Field
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil --- Georgia's track and field program had three qualifiers and one top-20 finisher to highlight the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.
Rising senior Kendell Williams scored 6,221 points, which is the fourth-best heptathlon score of her career, to finish 17th after the two-day, seven-event competition.
In addition, rising junior Keturah Orji advanced to the triple jump finals, fellow rising junior Cejhae Greene sped his way into the 100-meter dash semifinals and former Lady Bulldog Shaunae Miller cruised into the 400m semifinals. All three compete again on Sunday.
A two-time NCAA champion in the heptathlon (2016, 2014), Williams worked up to a second long jump of 20 feet, 8 ½ inches to open her second day in the heptathlon. She scored 946 points and moved from 14th to 13th in the overall rankings in the fifth of seven events.
A Marietta, Ga., native, Williams sandwiched her top javelin toss of the competition between her first and third throws to add 685 points to her total. She let go of her second-longest throw in the heptathlon of her career (top was at the U.S. Trials, 138-6) with an effort of 134-4.
Williams wrapped up her seven events by running the second-best 800m of her career. She completed her two laps in 2:16.24 for her final 875 points. This gave Williams 6,221 points, which was four points behind her 2016 NCAA winning score and two points behind her 2015 NCAA runner-up finish. She tallied a school record of 6,402 at the U.S. Trials to earn a spot on Team USA.
Orji, who owns the American and collegiate records in the triple jump, snuck into Sunday's finals with her one and only fair jump of the qualifying round. This marks the first time an American has made the triple jump finals in 20 years. Orji opened with a foul and closed with a foul in her three-jump series. However, the Mount Olive, N.J., native traveled 46-2.50 on her second try and that eventually made her the last of 12 qualifiers for the finals.
Miller came into the Games with two of the world's top three 400m times this year, including a world-leading mark of 49.55, and the native of the Bahamas did not disappoint in the first round. Miller crossed the finish line in 51.16 to win her heat and ease into Sunday's semifinal round. This is Miller's second straight trip to the Olympics after she advanced in 2012 while still in high school.
In the first round of the men's 100m, Greene finished fourth in his heat with a 10.20 and managed to lock down a spot in Sunday's semifinals. The Florida State transfer tied for the 22nd-fastest time in the opening round as he is representing Antigua in his first Olympics.
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Bulldog Olympic Track & Field Schedule
Women's 400m: Shaunae Miller (Bahamas - 2nd Olympics), Sunday, Aug. 14, 6:35 p.m. (semifinals)
Women's Triple Jump: Keturah Orji (USA - 1st Olympics), Sunday, Aug. 14, 6:55 p.m. (finals)
Men's 100m: Cejhae Greene (Antigua - 1st Olympics), Sunday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m. (semifinals); 8:25 p.m. (finals)
Women's 400m: Shaunae Miller (Bahamas - 2nd Olympics), Monday, Aug. 15, 8:45 p.m. (finals)
Decathlon (men): Maicel Uibo, Karl Saluri (Estonia - 1st Olympics for each) Wednesday, Aug. 17, 7:30 a.m. (first five events - 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m)
Men's hammer: Kibwe Johnson (USA - 2nd Olympics), Wednesday, Aug. 17, 7:40 a.m. (qualifying)
Decathlon (men): Maicel Uibo, Karl Saluri (Estonia - 1st Olympics for each) Thursday, Aug. 18, 7:30 a.m. (final five events - 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, 1500m)
Women's High Jump: Levern Spencer (St. Lucia - 3rd Olympics) & Leontia Kallenou (Cyprus - 1st Olympics), Thursday, Aug. 18, 8:00 a.m. (qualifying)
Men's hammer: Kibwe Johnson (USA - 2nd Olympics), Friday, Aug. 19, 7:05 p.m. (finals)
Women's High Jump: Levern Spencer (St. Lucia - 3rd Olympics) & Leontia Kallenou (Cyprus - 1st Olympics), Saturday, Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m. (finals)
Players Mentioned
