Samuels Advances to Finals at Pan American Games

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas’ J-Mee Samuels advanced to the finals of the 100 meters at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday night. Track and fields events started Sun., July 22 and will end Sun., July 29, 2007.

Monday afternoon, the soon-to-be Arkansas junior clocked a 10.41 in heat two of the prelims to earn automatic advancement to the semifinals with a third-place finish in his heat. Slightly more than two hours later, Samuels returned to clock a 10.31 in the semifinals and finished second in his heat, also good for automatic advancement to the finals.

He will run the finals of the 100 meters Tuesday night. Samuels will also start competition as a member of the 4×100-meter relay Friday night with the prelims. Finals in the event will take place Saturday night.

Samuels earned his spot on Team USA with a fifth-place finish in the 100 meters at the USA Championships in June. Team USA is coached by Stanley Redwine, current head coach at the University of Kansas. Redwine is in his seventh season at the helm of the Jayhawk track and field program. Redwine is also a former Razorback lettermen and assistant coach.

For complete details of the 15th Pan American Games, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/PanAmericanGames/.