Rogers, Hunter Move on at #Tokyo2020

EUGENE, Ore. – Raevyn Rogers has extended her Olympic journey in Tokyo and is now a finalists in the women's 800 meters. Charlie Hunter, another Olympic newcomer, also advanced on day two of the track and field schedule and is through to the semis of the men's 800 meters.
 
Rogers crossed in 1:59.28 to secure an at-large spot in the 800-meter final. Using a familiar kick down the home stretch, the 2019 World Championships runner-up moved from sixth to third in the semifinal. The Olympic final of the women's 800 meters is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 5:25 a.m. (PT). Rogers owns a personal-best time of 1:57.66 from her performance at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
 
In his debut run, Hunter just missed an auto-qualifying spot with his fourth-place finish in heat three of six. His time of 1:45.91 was the third fastest on the at-large list with three heats to go; the six fastest at-large runners would earn a spot in the next round. Hunter's time ended up fifth on the list of six, good enough to advance.

 
Semifinals of the men's 800 meters will start Sunday at 4:25 a.m. (PT) with Hunter in heat one. He is one of five Ducks in Tokyo from this past season's roster. That list also includes Cole Hocker (1500m), Emmanuel Ihemeje (triple jump), Aneta Konieczek (3,000m steeplechase) and Micah Williams (4x100m pool). Hunter is also one of two Ducks representing Australia, along with Jessica Hull.
 
Earlier in the day, former UO standout Claire Michel helped Belgium to a fifth-place showing in the mixed relay triathlon. The team event marked the second competition of the week for Michel who was 34th in the women's race on July 27. This was the first Olympics for the mixed relay.
 
For a second-consecutive race, Jenna Prandini matched her season best with a time of 11.11 in the semifinals of the women's 100 meters. She finished fourth in her heat and 14th overall but the time wasn't enough to advance to the final. Prandini will return to the track in two days time for the start of the 200 meters, where she was the runner-up at the recent Olympic Trials at Hayward Field.
 
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