Full Results
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Fighting Illini red-shirt junior Pedrya Seymour added Olympic semifinalist to her slew of 2016 accolades, as she advanced out of the preliminary round of the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.85, placing third in her heat and 10th overall. The Bahamian hurdler will compete in the event semifinal on Wednesday, August 17 at 6:45 p.m. central time. The event final is scheduled for later that evening at 8:55 p.m.
Hailing from Nassau, Bahamas, Seymour timed 12.85 in her Olympic debut, just 0.02 seconds off of her personal-record time. The Illini hurdler came on strong through the final five hurdles, separating herself from the pack and narrowly missing a second-place finish, as Phylicia George (Canada) edged Seymour at the line with a 12.83 performance. The United States' Nia Ali won the heat with a time of 12.76.
Prior to this year's outdoor season, Seymour had never competed in the 100m hurdles, making her debut on April 9 with a time of 13.50. Since then, Seymour has shaved 0.67 seconds off her time, broke the Bahamian national record at Big Ten Championships, earned First Team All-American honors at NCAA Championships, and then set a new personal-record time of 12.83 at NACAC Championships in July before heading to Rio. With two years of eligibility still remaining, Seymour currently sits third on Illinois' all-time list.
Joining Seymour in the 100m hurdles today were former Illini Nikkita Holder (Canada) who placed 20th to advance to the semifinals with a time of 12.92. Also competing was former Illini Susanna Kallur (Sweden), who placed fifth in heat one with a time of 13.04.
Also competing in Rio was former Illini Ashley Kelly, who placed fifth in her heat of the 200m prelims on Monday morning with a time of 23.61.
The four Illini Women's Track athletes in Rio marks the most the program has had in the a single Olympic Games since they sent four to Athens in 2004.
100m Hurdle Schedule
Semifinal: Wednesday, August 17 @ 6:45 p.m. CT
Final: Wednesday, August 17 @ 8:55 p.m. CT
For complete coverage of Fighting Illini Women's Track & Field, go to fightingillini.com and follow @IlliniWTrack on Twitter and Instagram.
