University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA's Dawn Harper, Jessica Cosby Earn Spots in London Olympics
June 25, 2012 | Bruin Athletics, Olympics
June 25, 2012
EUGENE, Ore. - Former UCLA standout Dawn Harper won the 100-meter hurdles in the U.S. track trials Saturday for the chance to defend her Olympic gold medal in the London Games.
Harper finished in 12.73 seconds and will be accompanied to London by runner-up Kellie Wells and third-place Lolo Jones. Wells finished in 12.77, and Jones in 12.86. Harper first advanced out of the prelim rounds as an automatic qualifier after winning heat one (12.79) on June 22. There were two rounds of the hurdles on June 23, and in the semifinal round, Harper again won her heat (3) and had the fastest time in the semis (12.65).
At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Harper ran a personal-best 12.54 seconds.
UCLA's Michelle Perry and Joanna Hayes each advanced to the semifinals but did not qualify for a spot in the Olympics. Perry advanced to the finals and posted the seventh-best time, at 12.80 seconds. The 2004 Olympic Champion, Joanna Hayes, also was in action at the Trials. She finished 14th overall in the semis with a time of 12.98.
Former UCLA standout Jessica Cosby finished third in the hammer throw (70.77m), qualifying for her second Olympics. All three of the Olympic qualifiers broke the meet record, which Cosby has previously held.
UCLA's Suzy Powell-Roos finished third in the discus (60.20m) but did not have the Olympic-qualifying standard. Katy Viuf missed the cut for the Olympics after tying for ninth in the pole vault (13-11.25). Megan Jamerson also competed in the pole vault but could not clear the opening height (13-11.25).
With several events slated to take place Monday, the women's track trials return to action on Thursday, June 28.
