AU IN THE OLYMPICS: Stewart advances to 200-meter dash finals

Special to the News

Published: August 20, 2008

BEIJING — Former Auburn All-American Kerron Stewart, seeking her second medal of this Olympic Games, has advanced to the finals of the women’s 200 meters.

Stewart, who became the first Auburn woman to secure an Olympic track and field medal when she earned a silver medal in the 100 meters Sunday, finished second in the first semifinal heat of the 200 Wednesday to advance to today’s final.

She posted a time of 22.29 seconds, finishing behind Jamaican teammate Veronica Campbell-Brown, who was first in 22.19 seconds.

Stewart’s time was faster than every competitor in the second semifinal.

Stewart has continued to pick up the pace as the rounds of the 200 have continued.

She coasted to marks of 23.03 and 22.74 during the first and second rounds, respectively, on Tuesday.

She owns a personal best this season of 21.99 seconds, which ranks No. 2 in the world this year behind Campbell-Brown.

Stewart was the only former Auburn Tiger to compete on Wednesday.

Today, in addition to Stewart’s final in the 200 and the opening round of the 4x100-meter relay, two other Tigers will compete. Leevan Sands will compete in the finals of the triple jump and Maurice Smith will begin competition in the decathlon.