Roberson Advances to Semi at Olympic Trials

EUGENE, Ore. - The last time she ran on the Hayward Field track, Daye Shon Roberson did not advance. It was a far better result Friday, the first full day of the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Roberson finished fifth in the first heat of the 400 with a 52.49, then had to wait for three more heats to finish. The wait was worth it as the Sooner senior-to-be got the final qualifying spot for Saturday's semifinal in the 400-meter dash. The top four from each of two heats advance to the final.

When she ran on the Hayward Field track just over three weeks ago in the semifinal round of the 400 at the NCAA Championship, Roberson finished 13th with a time of 52.86. It marked the first time in three trips to the NCAA that she did not advance to the final in a race sbe had entered.

The 400 semifinal is set for?1:30 p.m. (PDT)?with the final scheduled for?4:38 p.m. Sunday. Roberson is in the second of two heats with Courtney Okolo, who ran a 50.78 to lead all qualifiers. The duo is familiar with each other as Okolo, who now runs for Nike, just wrapped up her collegiate career at Texas.

Roberson has a career best of 51.37 in the 400. She recorded that time in the NCAA West prelims a year ago.

Johnny Crain, a former Sooner graduate assistant with the cross country/track and field programs, finished 16th in the 10,000-meter final Friday. Crain, a four-time DIII national champion and 10-time All-American ?while competing at North Central College, had participated in the qualifying round for the Olympic marathon on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles, his debut in that event. Crain, who is now running for Zap Fitness Reebok, recorded a 29:40.71 in the 10,000 final.

Candyce McGrone, a former NCAA champion in the 100 for the Sooners, will continue her Olympic quest Saturday. She is scheduled to run in the first round of the 100-meter dash?at 12:33 p.m. The top three from each of five heats plus the next six fastest move on. The semifinal and final in the 100 are scheduled for Sunday. The semi is at 4:02 p.m. and the final is at 5:44 p.m.

The Trials continue through July 10. Live results, start lists and broadcast schedules are available on the USATF?website and?daily recaps will follow on SoonerSports.com.