2012 London Olympics: Centrowitz, Wheating Advance to Semifinals
The Oregon Ducks had three athletes make their 2012 Olympic debut today as track and field got its start. Brianne Theisen competed in the first four events of the women’s Heptathlon. Theisen is representing Canada. Matthew Centrowitz and Andrew Wheating both ran in the first round of the men’s 1500m. Centrowitz and Wheating are competing for the United States. This is Wheating’s second Olympics as he competed at the 2008 Summer games in Beijing.
The four events that Theisen participated in today were the 100m hurdles, the High Jump, Shot Put and the 200m. Theisen began her day running in the fifth heat of the 100m hurdles and finishing with a mark of 13.3. She moved over to the High Jump where she finished with a jump of 1.83m which placed her eleventh in Group A.
Theisen set a personal best in the Shot Put with a throw of 12.89m which placed her ninth in Group B. She ended her day in the fifth heat of the 200m where she finished seventh with a time of 24.35. The Canadian is currently in fifteenth place overall after the four events. The Heptathlon continues tomorrow with the Long Jump, Javelin and 800m.
The qualifying heats of the 1500 meters kicked off today with the Semifinals set for Sunday. Andrew Wheating ran in the second heat and finished seventh with a time of 3:40.92. Wheating had the 18th best overall time. Matthew Centorwitz ran in the third heat where he finished fifth with a time of 3:41.39 placing him 24th overall.
Two more former Ducks will be in Olympic action tomorrow besides Theisen. Becky Holliday will be competing in the women’s Pole Vault. Galen Rupp will be in action in the men’s 10,000m.
Check out Raymond Mencke’s blog at www.sportissue.com. Also follow him on Twitter @RaymondMenckeJr,
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