Harris Reaches 100m Finals at NCAA Championships

Wednesday, June 10

Fayetteville, Ark.

Michigan

NCAA Outdoor Championships (Day 1)

6/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field

Site: Fayetteville, Ark. (John McDonnell Field)
Event: NCAA Outdoor Championships (Day 1)
U-M Team Standing: No Points After Day 1
Next U-M Event: Thu-Sat., June 11-13 -- at NCAA Outdoor Championships (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Results | Photo Gallery

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Senior Adam Harris(Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) qualified for the final in the 100-meter dash to lead the University of Michigan men's track and field team during day one of the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday evening (June 10) at John McDonnell Field. The senior advanced to Friday's final despite a three-hour delay caused by inclement weather in the area.

Fifth-year senior Dan Harmsen(Rockford, Mich./Rockford) joined Harris in advancing past day one of the competition, qualifying for the semifinals in the 400-meter hurdles.

In his first appearance in the NCAA Championships, Harris overcame the weather delay to qualify for the 100-meter finals with a fourth-place showing in his heat of the semifinals andthe eighth-place time overall. Harris used a good start out of the blocks to help keep pace with the leaders, finishing with a time of 10.37 despite running into a noticeable headwind. The senior qualified for the semis by finishing second in his heat, crossing the line in 10.22, just three-hundredths of a second behind Florida's Jeremy Hall, the number four seeded runner heading into the championships.

Harris will attempt to be the first U-M runner since Tom Robinson (1959-61) in 1960 to earn All-America honors in the 100 meters when he runs in the finals on Friday (June 12) at 7:45 p.m. CDT.

Running in the final event before the three-hour delay, Harmsen finished third in his heat of the 400-meter hurdles to qualify for the semifinals. The fifth-year senior's time of 51.02 was the 15th-fastest on the evening, allowing him to advance to the semis. Sophomore Carl Buchanon(South Bend, Ind./Clay) failed to advance after finishing fifth in his heat with a time of 52.10.

Senior/junior Lex Williams(Ann Arbor, Mich./Dexter) concluded the Maize and Blue's first day, finishing 23rd in the 5,000-meter run. Running in the second heat, Williams stuck close to the leaders through much of the race but was unable to make a final push to earn a spot in the finals. The Ann Arbor, Mich., native completed the race with a time of 14:19.49.

Harris and Harmsen will both return to action on Thursday (June 11) as Harris will run in the 200-meter dash and Harmsen will compete in the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles.

Event Winners/U-M Finishers (Day 1)

 100-meter Dash (Prelims) 1. Trindon Holliday, LSU 10.00Q 7. Adam Harris, U-M 10.22Q 400-meter Hurdles (Prelims) 1. Lee Moore, Mississippi 49.87Q 15. Dan Harmsen, U-M 51.02q 23. Carl Buchanon, U-M 52.10 100-meter Dash (Semis) 1. Trindon Holliday, LSU 10.14Q 8. Adam Harris, U-M 10.37q 5,000-meter Run (Prelims) 1. David McNeill, N. Arizona 13:57.73Q 23. Lex Williams, U-M 14:19.49 Qq Indicates qualification for next round