Aug. 16, 2008

BEIJING, China - Former Auburn track and field athletes Marc Burns and Kerron Stewart advanced in the 100 meters during action at the Olympic Games Saturday. Burns advanced to the finals of the men's 100 meters, while Stewart moved into the semifinals in the women's 100.

In the men's semifinals, Burns, who runs for Trinidad and Tobago, equaled a season best with a time of 9.97 seconds, finishing third in his heat and sixth overall to qualify for the finals. He will be in lane eight in the finals, which take place at 9:30 a.m. CT Saturday.

Stewart, representing Jamaica, advanced through two rounds of the women's 100 meters Saturday. She cruised to a time of 11.28 in the opening round, winning her heat and finishing sixth overall. She turned it up a notch in the quarterfinals, posting a time of 10.98 seconds while becoming the only woman to break 11 seconds in the first two rounds. She will run in the semifinals Sunday at 6:45 a.m. CT, with the finals to follow at 9:25 a.m. CT.

Timicka Clarke also competed in the women's 100 meters for the Bahamas, but did not advance out of the opening round. She clocked a time of 12.16 seconds, placing sixth in her heat and 56th overall.

A fourth former Tigers was also in action on Saturday, as Hungary's Gabor Mate just missed advancing to the finals of the men's discus. Mate finished 13th with a throw of 62.44m (204-10), missing out on the 12th and final qualifying spot by just four centimeters.