The University of Mississippi Athletics
Reese Wins Qualifying Round To Advance To Long Jump Finals
8/18/2008 | Track and Field
BEIJING, China Former Ole Miss All-American long jumper Brittney Reese strengthened her quest for an Olympic medal as she won the qualifying round of the long jump from National Stadium at the Beijing Summer Olympics Tuesday with a distance of 22-06.50 to advance into the finals Friday.
Reese defeated her closest competition by three full inches as Maurren Higa Maggi of Brazil finished in second place with a distance of 22-03.50. Competitors advanced to the finals with a mark of 22-01.75 or better or a top-12 finish.
"Brittney had a great qualifying round," head coach Joe Walker said. "Many people had problems adjusting to the fast runway, but Brittney had a good warm-up and had a very good first jump despite it being a foul. A lot of people would have gone into panic mode with the Olympic pressure and all, but we adjusted her steps and she came down and hit a really nice jump that was an automatic qualifier."
"Now she just has to let the adrenaline settle, take a day off, have a light workout and then try to take care of business in the final," he said. "I have always said that not only is she a talented athlete, but she has the poise under pressure that is so essential to being a champion. I am so proud of her!"
NBC and NBC HD area affiliates are scheduled to re-air the women's long jump qualifying round Tuesday morning during the 9 a.m. to noon (CT) time slot.
The Gulfport, Miss., native is attempting to become the first track and field female in school history to win an Olympic medal. In fact, only one track and field athlete in school history has ever won an Olympic Medal. Former Ole Miss great Tony Dees accomplished the feat by claiming a silver medal in 110 meter hurdles in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Earlier this year, Reese became the first female in school history to win an individual NCAA title as she won the long jump at both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships.
Friday's finals are slated to begin at 6:20 p.m. (CT), but will air on NBC and NBC HD during the 7-11 p.m. (CT) time slot.