Ginnie Powell advances to finals of 100m hurdles at worlds..

OSAKA, Japan—Former Rainier Beach High School standout Ginnie Powell advanced to Wednesday night’s finals in the 100-meter hurdles Tuesday with her strong fourth place finish in the semi-finals at the IAAF World Track & Field Championships at Nagai Stadium.

Powell, a many time state champ at the south Seattle high school, crossed the finish line in 12.67, in a heat won by her American teammate and defending world champion Michelle Perry in 12.55.

After her race, Powell said, “It was a faster time than yesterday. I need to get stronger and faster at the end. The start was good. The first five (hurdles) were pretty good and strong. There are things I can definitely work on. But I am very satisfied at this point just to be racing again and to be in the final. It starts all over again tomorrow. Everybody has the same chance to win tomorrow. It's a very loaded field. There's a lot of talent in the hurdles. Anyone in the final tomorrow is capable of winning.

Wednesday night’s 100 meter hurdles final gets underway at 9:05 pm, Osaka time (Seattle is 16 hours behind Osaka).

Also competing Wednesday night will be former Washington State Cougar Bernard Lagat in the men’s 1500 meter run at 10:05 pm, local time. The two time Olympic medalist at this distance won his semi-final head on Monday night.

Another former Cougar, Dominique Arnold, the current American record holder in the 110-meter high hurdlers, has withdrawn from the world championships due to an injury to his Achilles tendon. Arnold was scheduled to compete in the first round of his event at 11:40 am, local time on Wednesday.

For more information on the IAAF World Track & Field Championships, please visit http://www.osaka2007.iaaf.org.