PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The 2008 Sagicor National Open Track and Field Championships kicked off Friday at Hasely Crawford Stadium, and three LSU athletes sprinted into the semifinal round of the 100-meter dash during the first day of competition.
Senior Richard Thompson, senior Kelly Baptiste and junior Monique Cabral each lined up in the first round of qualifying in the 100 meters on Friday and cruised into Saturday’s semifinal where they hope to earn a spot in the final following later in the evening.
The top three finishers in the final of the 100 meters that have met the “A” qualifying standard for the 2008 Olympic Games will represent Trinidad and Tobago in Beijing, China, this summer.
Baptiste was the fastest preliminary qualifier on the women’s side after winning her heat in 11.36 seconds, while Cabral also earned a spot in the semifinal by finishing third in her heat with a time of 11.57 in Friday’s prelims. Thompson showed why he is one of the favorites to walk away from the competition with the men’s title after jogging to the finish line in 10.53 to win his heat.
Sophomore Jamaal James was also scheduled to run in the prelims of the 800-meter run on Friday but the semifinal heats were combined into a one section final to be held Sunday as the number of competitors did not allow meet officials to continue with preliminary qualifying in the event.