EUGENE, Ore. — Auburn rising sophomore Marcus Rowland won the 100-meter dash Friday at the U.S. Junior Outdoor Championships.
Rowland clocked a time of 10.02 seconds to claim the title for men age 19 and under.
Rowland, the SEC’s Male Freshman Runner of the Year for the 2009 outdoor season, had posted a time of 10.13 seconds in the first round before speeding to victory in the finals. He edged Mississippi State All-American D’Angelo Cherry, who was second in 10.07 seconds. Keyth Talley of North Texas was third in 10.28 seconds.
“It feels real good,” said Rowland. “To look up on that clock and see 10.02, it was a big accomplishment.
“My first goal was to stay with D’Angelo Cherry. If I could stay with him, I knew I would run a good time. I wanted to get out of the blocks smooth. I got out hard and just relaxed, and just finished strong.”
By winning the race, Rowland also guaranteed himself a spot at the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, which will be held at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad, from July 31-Aug. 2.
Auburn rising junior Joanna Atkins also competed Friday in Eugene in the senior national championships, participating in the 400 meters — the event in which she won the NCAA national title June 13. Atkins, who was 12th in Thursday’s prelims in 52.92 seconds, finished 14th in the semifinals Friday with a time of 53.12 seconds.
Also on Friday, former Auburn NCAA Champion Ty Akins advanced to today’s semifinals of the men’s 110-meter hurdles, placing 14th in the prelims in 13.52 seconds.
On Thursday, Raevan Harris, who just completed her eligibility at Auburn two weeks prior, tied for seventh in the women’s high jump with a mark of 1.78 meters (5-10).
The U.S. Outdoor Championships and Junior Outdoor Championships will continue through Sunday.
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