Pair Qualifies For Olympic Finals, Semifinals In Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan --- A pair of former Lady Bulldog teammates advanced to finals in their events during the fourth day of the track and field action in Tokyo, Japan, at the Olympics in Olympic Stadium on Monday.

In addition, one of those Georgia women also moved on to the next round in a second event while another former Bulldog advanced to the 1500-meter semifinal.

This was the fourth of 10 days of track and field events (Athletics) as the Games continue.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas punched her ticket in the 200m with the sixth-best time in the semifinal round and the defending Olympic 400m champion will now be aiming to medal in a second individual event.  Morgann Leleux, who pole vaulted at Georgia in 2013 during Miller-Uibo's sole season in Athens before turning professional, became one of 15 finalists in the pole vault with a massive third attempt clearance during her first trip to the Games.

A pair of Bulldogs also advanced to latter rounds on the track.  Miller-Uibo returned with a victory in her heat of the 400m first round thanks to a 50.50.  She will aim for a spot in the final during the semifinal round on Wednesday. Charles Grethen took the track for the first time in the 1500m during the Games and secured the sixth and final qualifying spot in her first round heat with a 3:41.90.  Grethen will now prepare on Thursday.

Miller-Uibo ran out of lane five in the 200m semifinal and finished just behind Côte d'Ivoire's Marie-Josee Ta Lou (22.11) with a 22.14 to automatically qualify for the final.

A native of Nassau, Bahamas, Miller-Uibo is the defending Olympic champion in the 400m after her lunge for the line in Rio.  She ran a 50.88 to win the 2013 NCAA indoor 400m title for the Lady Bulldogs and remains No. 12 on the all-time collegiate performer list.  Miller-Uibo is second on both the school's all-time indoor list (50.88) and outdoor list (50.70).  This marks her third Olympics.

Leleux started her first Olympic competition by clearing 4.40 meters (14 feet, 5 ¼ inches) on her opening attempt.  She returned to the runway with the bar at 4.55m (14-11) and the former Lady Bulldog posted a third attempt clearance to be tied for sixth out of the 15 finalists and advance.

A native of New Iberia, La., Leleux was a three-time SEC champion and five-time All-American in the pole vault for the Lady Bulldogs during 2012-15.  Overcoming a significant eye injury during the middle of her career, Leleux remains second on both the school's indoor and outdoor all-time lists.  She is competing at her first Games.

Grethen made the best out of his first race at his second Olympics in the 1500m.  A native of Tuntange, Luxembourg, Grethen was an All-American in the 800m for the Bulldogs in 2015.  Starting his career at Texas State before transferring to Georgia prior to the 2013 season, Grethen clocked a top time of 1:47.22 in the 800m during his time in red and black.  He is at his second Olympics after running in the 800m at his first Games.

The Olympic track and field competition continues Tuesday morning as Miller-Uibo is scheduled to line up in the 200m final at 8:50 a.m. ET.  Later that day (occurring on Wednesday morning in Tokyo), American Garrett Scantling and Estonians Maicel Uibo, Karel Tilga and Johannes Erm will start their first of 10 events in the two-day decathlon at 8 p.m.  American Kendell Williams will also begin her first of seven events in the two-day heptathlon at 8:35 p.m.

Results and recaps from the Olympics will be found at georgiadogs.com.  News and updates from Georgia's track and field and cross country teams are always located on Twitter/Instagram at @UGATrack.

Pair Qualifies For Olympic Finals, Semifinals In Tokyo

Players Mentioned

Johannes Erm

Karel Tilga

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