Coleman, Merritt Earn Spots On Team USA

Sunday, June 25

Sacramento, Calif.

All Day

University of Tennessee

USATF Championships

June 25, 2017 | Track & Field

Results Coleman's Accolades Vote for Coleman Photo Gallery

Christian Coleman and Aries Merritt posted second-place finishes to qualify for the World Championship Team

SACRAMENTO, California - Christian Coleman and Aries Merritt both claimed second place finishes on the final day of competition to earn a spot at the World Championship. Four Vols posted top-two finishes in five events at the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium over the past four days.

Coleman took second place in the men's 200m dash final with a time of 20.10. Ameer Webb was able to catch Coleman over the final 40m of the race to win the championship. Coleman qualified for Team USA in his second event with the second place finish. He is the only male athlete to qualify for the World Championship in multiple events after he finished second in the 100m dash final on Friday. Coleman finished his sixth race over the last four days.

Coleman qualified for the 200m final by posting the top mark in the semifinal round. Coleman was running into nearly a seven mile-per-hour headwind and posted a time of 20.18. He won his heat by .33 seconds over second-place Webb.

Merritt notched a second place finish in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.31 (-1.7) while running into a headwind. That was Merritt's best mark from the weekend. He finished just behind Aleec Harris who crossed the line in 13.24.

Merritt moved into the finals of the 110m hurdles thanks to the top qualifying mark in the semifinals. Merritt won his heat by .25 seconds with a time of 13.33. Merritt was running into a headwind, but still grabbed the top spot.

Tennessee's volunteer assistant coach, Dezerea Bryant, took 13th place in the women's 200m semifinals. Bryant posted a time of 23.25 while running into a -1.4 m/s headwind.

In addition to Coleman and Merritt, #VFLs Justin Gatlin (100m) and Tianna Bartoletta (Long Jump) won the National Championship and will represent the United States at the 2017 World Championship from August 5-13 in London.

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: 1. Justin Gatlin, 9.95 (-0.7); 2. Christian Coleman, 9.98 (-0.7)
Men's 100m Semifinal: 1. Christian Coleman, 10.02 (-1.4); 2. Justin Gatlin, 10.04 (-1.6)
Men's 400m Semifinal: 11. Nathan Strother, 45.25
Women's 100m Semifinal: 14. Tianna Bartoletta, 11.35 (-1.2)

Saturday's Schedule
Men's 200m First Round: 2. Christian Coleman, 20.34 (+0.2)
Men's 110m Hurdles First Round: 1. Aries Merritt 13.41 (-0.9)
Men's Discus: 5. Tavis Bailey 60.50m (198-6)
Women's 200m First Round: 23. Felicia Brown, 23.48 (-0.8)
Women's Long Jump: 1. Tianna Bartoletta , 7.05m (23-1.75)

Sunday's Schedule
Men's 200m Final: 2. Christian Coleman, 20.10 (-2.3)
Men's 200m Semifinal: 1. Christian Coleman, 20.18 (-2.9)
Men's 110m Hurdles Final: 2. Aries Merritt, 13.31 (-1.7)
Men's 110m Hurdles Semifinal: 1. Aries Merritt, 13.33 (-1.7)