Men's Track

Former UT Arlington sprinter Jared Connaughton has a season-best 20.34 in the 200 meters.

FORMER UT ARLINGTON SPRINTER MAKES 200-METER SEMIFINALS IN BEIJING

Canadian sprinter Jared Connaugton runs a 20.45, makes Round of 16.

Aug. 18, 2008

BEIJING, China - - Former UT Arlington sprinter Jared Connaughton advanced past the first two rounds of competition and has qualified for the 200-meter dash semifinals at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

Connaughton ran a 20.60 for third place in his first heat, which earned a trip to Round Two. In the second round, his time of 20.45 was good enough for an at-large bid to the semifinals. Connaughton is one of 16 athletes to advance in his event semifinals.

Competing for Canada, Connaughton will run in Lane 2 at 8:25 a.m. in the first semifinal on Tuesday. His heat features American runner Dix Walker, who boasts a season-best 19.86, and Jamaican athlete Christopher Williams (personal-best 20.02).

Jamaican 100-meter world record holder and 2008 Olympic champion Usain Bolt will run in the semifinal after Connaughton.

The top four in each of the two semifinal heats and next fastest runner will advance to the finals.

Connaughton is the 2006 Southland Conference champion in the 200 meters and has already competed for Canada in the 2007 World Championships. This will be his first trip to the Olympic Games, where he also has been named to the 4x100-meter relay team.