Rogers, Prandini Advance to Semifinals

EUGENE, Ore. – Raevyn Rogers and Jenna Prandini—both winners of The Bowerman during standout collegiate careers at Oregon—are on to the semifinals of their respective events after qualifying efforts on day one of the track and field program at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
 
In her Olympic debut, Rogers stopped the clock in an opening-round time of 2:01.42 to win heat four of the women's 800 meters. Positioned among the top five throughout, Rogers took control of the race over the final 100 meters to secure the victory. She enters the Olympics with a season- and personal-best time of 1:57.66 from the recent U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
 
The three-race semifinal round begins Saturday at 4:50 a.m. (PT); Rogers will run in the third of three heats. The 2019 World Championships runner-up is one of three Americans—with Athing Mu and Ajee Wilson—to advance.
 
Prandini, making her second Olympic appearance, matched her season best with a time of 11.11 in heat seven of the women's 100 meters. She finished third in the heat to advance automatically to the semifinal round. Prandini returns to the track Saturday at 3:15 a.m. The 100-meter final will then be run at 5:50 a.m.
 
The 100 meters is the first of two individual events for Prandini who is also qualified in the 200 meters. All three Americans earned spots in the next round of the high-profile sprint event.
 
Along with Rogers and Prandini, day two of the Olympic track and field schedule will see to more Ducks in action with Charlie Hunter in the first round of the men's 800 meters and Claire Michel in the triathlon mixed relay.
 
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