Duncan, Beard and Merritt make international teams at US Champs

Beard and Merritt qualify for World Championships, Duncan on Pan Am Juniors squad

June 27, 2009

EUGENE, OREGON - Finals during the third day of the USA Senior and Junior Championships at Hayward Field produced top three medal performances for Aggies and berths onto international teams.

Jessica Beard qualified for the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, with a third-place effort in the 400 final. Dominique Duncan finished second in the Junior 200 meters to earn a spot on the U.S. Junior team that will travel to Trinidad & Tobago for the Pan Am Juniors.

Joining Beard on the U.S. senior team traveling to the World Championships is Aggie volunteer assistant coach Aries Merritt, who placed third in a closely contested 110-hurdle final. Already a member of the U.S. team is A&M volunteer assistant Muna Lee, who was runner-up in the 100 final on Friday.

Michael Preble advanced to the finals of Junior 400 from other action on Saturday while Porscha Lucas, Jeneba Tarmoh, Chris Dykes and a trio of A&M volunteer assistants in Muna Lee, Wallace Spearmon and Kelly Willie, all reached the semifinal stage of the Senior 200.

Meanwhile, Gabby Mayo fell in her heat of the 100 hurdles and did not finish the race.

The final day of the USA Championships will air live on NBC from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Competing at the Jamaica Championships this weekend, Julian Reid won the triple jump on Friday with a mark of 53-1.5 (16.19) and will contest the long jump on Sunday. Former NCAA 200 champion Simone Facey placed fourth in the 100 final with an 11.23 while former NCAA 400 champion Clora Williams reached the final of the 400 running a 52.97 for fourth in her semifinal heat.

On the University of Oregon track Beard ran from lane eight in the 400 final and had another solid start, reaching the midpoint in contention for the lead. With Richards holding a edge over the field she cruised to a 50.05 victory. Debbie Dunn finished second in 50.79 with Beard challenging for silver as she crossed the line in 50.81. Placing fourth was 2007 NCAA champion Natasha Hastings in 50.89.

Running with a 2.6 tailwind, Duncan sped to a 23.18 clocking for runner-up honors in the 200. She finished behind Chalonda Goodman, who won in 22.74. Earlier in the day Duncan won her prelim heat in 23.51 while Goodman claimed a heat in 23.41.

Closing out the track action on Saturday for the senior portion of the USA Championships, Merritt challenged for the victory with his time of 13.15 seconds. David Payne won the race in 13.12 while Terrence Trammell recorded the same time as runner-up, the difference between the two being determined by 0.003 of a second - 13.115 to 13.118.

Merritt reached the finals by placing second to Trammell earlier in the afternoon during the semifinal race. Merritt posted a 13.24 behind a 13.19 from Trammell.

In his 400 heat, Preble placed fifth with a 47.97 and the claimed the last qualifying position on time for Sunday's final. Also competing on Sunday is incoming frosh Sam Humphreys in the javelin.

Sunday's action in the 200 will feature a semifinal and a final. In the women's 200 prelims Porscha Lucas cruised to a 22.77 victory with a 3.1 assisting wind as she defeated 2008 Olympian Marshevet Hooker (22.81).

Other heat winners included LaShauntea Moore (22.60w), Charonda Williams (22.65w) and Allyson Felix (22.58w). Lee clocked 22.97w as runner-up to Williams while Tarmoh ran 23.21w for fourth in the heat won by Moore.

Dykes finished third in his heat with a windy 20.43. Spearmon clocked a wind-legal 20.53 to win a heat while Willie posted a windy 20.42 for fourth place in his heat.

In the men's long jump Aggie All-American Bashir Ramzy placed sixth with a leap of 26-6.25 (8.08). Dwight Phillips won the event with a windy 28-1.5 (8.57).

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