Clark Advances To 200 Semis

Kevin Borlee to join Clark in action on Wednesday

Aug. 18, 2009

BERLIN, Germany - Charles Clark did battle with the top sprinters in the world on Tuesday and held his own as the rising senior advanced to the semifinals of the 200-meter at the World Championships in Berlin. The semifinals are scheduled for 1:25 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Clark opened the day with a third-place finish in the opening round of heats when he ran a 20.87 to punch his ticket to Tuesday afternoon's quarterfinal round. The Virginia Beach, Va., native was matched up with the top sprinter in the world, Usain Bolt, in the quarterfinal round as the Jamaican cruised to the win beating out France's David Alerte. Clark and France's Martial Mbandjock posted identical times in the race but Mbandjock narrowly edged Clark at the line, leaving the senior to wait for the results from the last three quarterfinal races.

Clark's 20.55 time held up as the top qualifying time among the athletes who failed to finish in the top three in each heat. The sprinter will return to action on Wednesday when the 200-meter semifinals are run at 1:25 p.m. ET. Clark has drawn lane number two for the competition and will need to be among the top four in the heat to move on to Thursday's final.

"Great start for Charles. It would be fantastic if he can make the final, and awesome if he can follow in Walt's footsteps and earn a medal," head coach Bob Braman said.

Florida State alum Brian Dzingai moved out of the initial round in the 200-meter but pulled up around the turn during the quarterfinal round and did not finish, ultimately ending his journey towards a world title.