University of Tennessee Athletics
Ruff Sixth In 800 Meters
June 25, 2011 | Women's Track
June 25, 2011
By Eric Trainer, Associate Director of Media Relations
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Kianna Ruff had the top effort by a current Lady Vol, and DeeDee Trotter posted the best result by a former Tennessee standout Saturday at the USA Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.
In the junior division of the women's 800, Tennessee had two freshmen in action. Kianna Ruff carved out a sixth-place finish in 2:10.74, while Brittney Jackson was ninth in 2:17.84.
Former Lady Vol DeeDee Trotter saw her quest to make the U.S. world championship team come to an end Saturday, as the 2004 Olympic gold medalist wound up sixth in the women's 400m at 51.17. Another UT alum also missed out on the opportunity, as Jackie Areson turned in a 12th-place outcome in the 1500m run in 4:25.04.
A newcomer to Big Orange Country turned in a solid effort and another with UT ties earned a trip to the IAAF World Championships to lead the Vol contingent on day three.
Tavis (rhymes with Davis) Bailey, who joined the Vols after foregoing a potential football career and transferring from Lenoir-Rhyne College this summer, posted a fifth-place finish in the junior division of the men's discus throw. The native of Kannapolis, N.C., stretched the tape measure to a career-best distance of 178 feet, three inches to turn in a highly-respectable finish after opting to leave the gridiron behind and devote his attention to the throws.
In the men's 110m hurdles, former Vol Aries Merritt became the second Tennessee man to make the U.S. world championship team. After Justin Gatlin made the cut on Friday in the 100m dash, Merritt followed suit on Saturday by punching his ticket in the hurdles. After moving from the semifinals to the final with a 13.25 effort, the UT-ex handled the barriers in 13.12 to finish second and book a trip to Daegu, South Korea, for the meet, which begins on Aug. 27.
In the only other event involving a product of Rocky Top, former Vol Evander Wells advanced out of the first round of the men's 200m dash. The 2010 graduate moved on to the semifinal round with a 20.55 report that left him third in heat two and 11th fastest overall. Another alum, Rubin Williams, was seventh in heat four in 21.15 and placed 27th overall. Gatlin did not compete in the 200.
The final day of the meet will feature two with UT ties in competition on Sunday, with Wells in the semifinals of the 200m and former Lady Vol Phoebe Wright in the 800m final. Television coverage will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time on Universal and from 5-6 p.m. ET on NBC.
Results From Athletes With Lady Vol Ties At The USA ChampionshipsSaturday
Junior Women's 800m Final: 6. Kianna Ruff, 2:10.74; 9. Brittney Jackson, 2:17.84
Women's 400m Final: 6. DeeDee Trotter (Saucony), 51.17
Women's 1500m Final: 12. Jackie Areson (Unattached), 4:25.04
Junior Women's 800m First Round: Adv. Kianna Ruff (Tennessee), 2:09.78p/3rd, ht. 1 (5th); Adv. on appeal due to fall - Brittney Jackson (Tennessee), 2:44.59p/7th, ht. 1 (22nd); 19. Ty-Vonna Johnson (Tennessee), 2:19.01p/6th, ht. 3
Women's 800m Semifinals: Adv. Phoebe Wright (Nike), 2:02.00p/2nd, ht. 2 (6th)
Women's 400m Semifinals: Adv. DeeDee Trotter (Saucony), 51.75p/3rd, ht. 2 (6th)
Women's 400m Hurdles Semifinals: 13. Ellen Wortham (Tennessee), 57.92p/7th, ht. 1
Junior Women's Pole Vault Final: NH - Linda Hadfield (Tennessee)
Women's 10000m Final: 21. Liz Costello (Tennessee), 33:52.55
Women's 800m First Round: Adv. Phoebe Wright (Nike), 2:03.42p/1st, ht. 4 (1st); 22. Kimarra McDonald (Unattached), 2:06.36p/5th, ht. 1; 29. Chanelle Price (Tennessee), 2:36.05p/8th, ht. 2
Women's 400m First Round: Adv. DeeDee Trotter (Saucony), 51.87p/2nd, ht. 1 (5th)
Women's 1500m First Round: Adv. Jackie Areson (Unattached), 4:14.42p/6th, ht. 1 (11th); 22. Brittany Sheffey (Tennessee), 4:21.20p/12th, ht. 1
Women's 400m Hurdles First Round: Adv. Ellen Wortham (Tennessee), 57.79p/2nd, ht. 4 (13th)
Saturday
Junior Men's Discus Throw Final: 5. Tavis Bailey, 178-3/54.34m!
Men's 110m Hurdles Final: 2. Aries Merritt (Reebok), 13.12 (w: 1.4)
Men's 110m Hurdles Semifinals: Adv. Aries Merritt (Reebok), 13.25 (w: 1.9)/1st, ht. 2 (5th)
Men's 200m First Round: Adv. Evander Wells (Unattached), 20.55pw (w: 3.3)/3rd, ht. 2 (11th); 27. Rubin Williams (Heritage Track Club), 21.15pw (w: 3.5)/7th, ht. 4
Men's 100m Dash Final: 2. Justin Gatlin (Unattached), 9.95 (w: 1.3)
Men's Decathlon (Final): 4. Chris Helwick (Unattached), 7,736 pts. (100m: 13th, 11.42; LJ: 10th, 22-7/6.88m;
SP: 10th, 43-8.50/13.32m; HJ: 10th, 6-5/1.96m; 400m: 13th, 51.19; 110mH: 11th, 15.36; DT: 4th, 147-3/44.89m; PV: 6th, 15-11/4.85m; JT: 2nd, 205-8/62.70m; 1500m: 4th, 4:29.00)
Men's 100m Dash Semifinals: Adv.. Justin Gatlin (Unattached), 9.99pw (w: 2.6)/1st, ht. 2 (3rd)
Men's 110m Hurdles First Round: Adv. Aries Merritt (Reebok), 13.27pw (w: 2.1)/1st, ht. 4 (4th)
Men's Hammer Throw Final: 6. Garland Porter (Unattached), 235-3/71.70m
Men's 100m Dash First Round: Adv. Justin Gatlin (Unattached), 10.08p (w: 1.9)/1st, ht. 1 (6th); 24. Rubin Williams, 10.36p (w: 1.5)/4th, ht. 3
Men's Decathlon (Day 1): 11. Chris Helwick (Unattached), 3,769 pts. (100m: 13th, 11.42; LJ: 10th, 22-7/6.88m; SP: 10th, 43-8.50/13.32m; HJ: 10th, 6-5/1.96m; 400m: 13. 51.19)
! - personal record, DNF - did not finish, DQ - disqualified, - foul, fr - facility record, FS - false start, h - heat, m - meters, mr - meet record, NM - no mark registered, NH - no height registered, p - preliminary round, sr - school record, w - wind-aided
