Campbell Teter advance at Olympic Games

ATHENS, Greece – Former University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track superstars Veronica Campbell and Nicole Teter each advanced in their respective events at the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens, Greece, on Friday to allow themselves another chance at Gold.

“All athletes at one time or another aspire to be at the Olympic Games,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “These young ladies have achieved that and their next task is to not just represent their countries, but push through and make the finals. If both can do that tomorrow then anything can happen and we’ve seen that time and again in every sport.”

Competing in the 100 meters, Campbell had the toughest day of the two as she competed in both the first and second rounds of the race. In the opening race, Campbell displayed the same fire that made her the NCAA Indoor 200-meter champion and collegiate record holder when she blistered the Olympic Stadium track for a heat winning 11.17 seconds. The time was eight hundredths of a second ahead of Zhanna Block of Ukraine and 0.12 ahead of former Olympic 100-meter gold medalist Gail Devers of the U.S.

In the second round, Campbell once again looked strong as she easily advanced to the semifinals of the competition despite a second-place finish in her heat. Taking on the gold medal favorite, Christine Arron of France, in her heat, Campbell cruised to a time of 11.18 to solidify her spot in the semifinals with the ninth fastest mark of the round.

For Teter, her road was only a little less stressful as she competed just one time, doing so with a flair that proved she was ready for her first Olympic experience. Running 2:01.16, Teter crossed the line third in her heat to pick up one of the automatic qualifiers to the semifinals, but interestingly finished eighth overall giving the former Lady’Back loads of confidence as she continues her experience at the games.

Both Campbell and Teter now prepare for Saturday’s action which features both the semifinals and finals of the 100 meters and the semifinals of the 800. Should Teter advance to the finals, she gets Sunday off, then runs in the finals on Monday. For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.