University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
USATF Championships
Coleman's 100m Dash Highlights Day 1
June 22, 2017 | Track & Field
Christian Coleman posts a time of 9.93 seconds to record the top 100m qualifying time at the USATF Championship
SACRAMENTO, California - Seven current and former Vols competed on day one of the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium.
Christian Coleman and Justin Gatlin both secured spots in the semifinals of the 100m dash. Coleman won his heat with a time of 9.93 seconds as the fastest qualifying time. This was Coleman's second-fastest 100m of the 2017 season, behind his collegiate record mark of 9.82 seconds in the semifinals of the NCAA Championship. Gatlin edged Mike Rodgers at the line to win his heat and secure the third-fastest qualifying mark, behind Coleman and Isiah Young.
Junior Nathan Strother posted a time of 45.17 to finish second in his heat and earn an automatic qualifying spot for the semifinals of the 400m dash. This was the third-fastest 400m of Strother's career as he posted marks of 45.07 twice in his career, once during the semifinals of the 2016 NCAA Championship and again this year at the NCAA East Prelims. Strother finished as the ninth-fastest qualifier.
Sophomore Seth Whitener wrapped up a fantastic campaign with a 10th place finish in the hammer throw. Whitener bettered his throw on each of his three attempts and finished with a toss of 66.55m (218-4). He finished as the fifth collegian in the rankings and second among athletes who were non-seniors. He earned Second-Team All-America honors at the NCAA Championship with a 15th place finish. Whitener is the school record holder in the hammer throw, which he set at the NCAA East Prelims.
Chelsea Blaase took 12th place in the women's 10,000m race with a time of 33:41.04. She was in 14th place at the 6000m mark, but the nine-time All-American passed two runners over the next two laps to move into 12th. #VFL Liz Costello finished in seventh place with a time of 32:28.05. Costello stayed in the top-10 for the entirety of the race and raced in seventh over the final 10 laps.
#VFL Tianna Bartoletta (formerly Tianna Madison) advanced to the semifinals of the 100m dash as she recorded the 12th-fastest qualifying time with a mark of 11.07 seconds.
Coleman, Gatlin and Bartoletta will compete in both the 100m semifinals and finals tomorrow while Strother will compete in the 400m semifinals. The finals of the 100m can be seen as part of NBC Sports coverage of the event tomorrow evening.
USATF Championship Schedule
Thursday's Schedule
Men's 100m First Round: 1. Christian Coleman, 9.93 (+0.2); 3. Justin Gatlin, 10.00 (+1.2)
Men's 400m First Round: 9. Nathan Strother 45.17
Men's Hammer: 10. Seth Whitener, 66.55m (218-4)
Women's 100m First Round: 12. Tianna Bartoletta, 11.07 (+1.4)
Women's 10,000m Final: 7. Liz Costello, 32:28.05; 12. Chelsea Blaase, 33:41.04
Friday's Schedule
Men's 100m Final: Christian Coleman, Justin Gatlin (Friday, 11:02 p.m. ET)
Men's 100m Semifinal: Christian Coleman, Justin Gatlin (Friday, 8:31 p.m. ET)
Men's 400m Semifinal: Nathan Strother (Friday, 10:34 p.m. ET)
Women's 100m Final: Tianna Bartoletta (Friday, 11:52 p.m. ET)
Women's 100m Semifinal: Tianna Bartoletta (Friday, 8:16 p.m. ET)
Saturday's Schedule
Men's 200m First Round: Christian Coleman, Justin Gatlin (Saturday, 2:48 p.m. ET)
Men's 400m Final: Nathan Strother (Saturday, 4:31 p.m. ET)
Men's 110m Hurdles First Round: Aries Merritt (Saturday, 2:20 p.m. ET)
Men's Discus: Tavis Bailey (Saturday, 3:40 p.m. ET)
Women's 200m First Round: Felicia Brown (Saturday, 3:15 p.m. ET)
Women's Long Jump: Tianna Bartoletta (Saturday, 3:45 p.m. ET)
Sunday's Schedule
Men's 200m Final: Christian Coleman, Justin Gatlin (Sunday, 5:33 p.m. ET)
Men's 200m Semifinal: Christian Coleman, Justin Gatlin (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET)
Men's 110m Hurdles Final: Aries Merritt (Sunday, 5:53 p.m. ET)
Men's 110m Hurdles Semifinal: Aries Merritt (Sunday, 4:04 p.m. ET)
Women's 200m Final: Felicia Brown (Sunday, 5:43 p.m. ET)
Women's 200m Semifinal: Felicia Brown (Sunday, 3:20 p.m. ET)
