Foerster advances to 800m finals at World University Games; Wil Smith joins Hansons/Brooks squad...
BOCHUM, Germany--Washington's Chloe Foerster (Paul Merca photo) advanced to Thursday's final of the women's 800 at the FISU World University Games Wednesday night at the Lohrheidestadion.
Running in the second of three semifinal heats, the rising senior got off to a slow start, crossing the 200 meter mark in eighth, at approximately 29 seconds, then got to the 400 mark at a shade over 59 seconds in fifth place.
The Portland native made up some ground in the third 200, getting herself into fourth, but could not quite get up in position to challenge for one of the two automatic qualifying spots to the finals.
Fortunately, the second heat was the fastest of the three semifinals, and after having to wait out the results of the third heat, Foerster and third place finisher Fanny Arendt of Luxembourg earned the two time qualifiers into Thursday's finals.
Arendt crossed the line in 2:02.10, with Foerster finishing in 2:02.13.
In the women's heptathlon, Maple Valley native Alaina Brady scored 3335 points in the first day of the two-day competition.
Brady started strongly, running 13.79 in the 100 hurdles for 1008 points. She then high jumped 5-5 (1.65m) for 795 points.
In the shot put, she threw 39-9.25 (12.12m) for 669 points, then finished day one with a time of 25.26 for 863 points.
Thursday, Brady returns for day two of the heptathlon, with the women's long jump starting at 12:30 am Pacific time (9:30 am local time).
At 1:43 am Pacific (10:43 am local time), Washington's Julia David-Smith, representing France, runs in the semifinals of the women's 5000. The Huskies' Mia Cochran was originally on the entry list for the USA in the 5000, but has withdrawn.
Foerster goes in the finals of the women's 800 at 11:58 am Pacific (8:58 pm local time).
Streaming coverage of the FISU World University games is available in the United States at FISU.tv (may be geoblocked in other countries).
The home page of the FISU World University Games, which encompasses several sports, is available here (click on Athletics, and the date).
GONZAGA'S WIL SMITH ADDED TO HANSONS/BROOKS DISTANCE PROJECT...
Spokane native and Gonzaga graduate Wil Smith (Paul Merca photo) has been added to the Michigan based Hansons/Brooks Distance Project.
Smith, who was a four time NCAA cross country championships competitor for the Zags, also was an NCAA qualifier in the 5000 at the 2024 NCAA track and field championships. He was also a qualifier for last year's US Olympic Track and Field Trials in the 10000.
He will make his pro debut at next week's USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, where he's entered in the 10000.
NOTE: The FISU World University Games and the Hansons/Brooks Distance Project contributed to this report.
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