Six current and former Ducks qualify for women’s 100 meter semifinals

If you think Oregon is a school that only pumps out elite distance runners, then you haven't been watching the 100 meter races in this year’s Olympic Trials.

There are 21 semifinalists in today’s women’s 100 meter dash races. Six of those 21 semifinalists, nearly 30 percent of the remaining athletes, are current or former Ducks. Two of the six run for Oregon currently while the other four are now professional runners returning to their home track.

Jenna Prandini was the top qualifier out of the bunch, finishing in 10.81 seconds. English Gardner was the next fastest at 10.90 seconds. Prandini runs for Puma while Gardner is a Nike athlete.

Oregon’s star freshman, Ariana Washington, fresh off a national title in the 100 and 200 at last month’s NCAA championships, had the seventh-fastest qualifying time at 11.01 seconds. Oregon sophomore Deajah Stevens ranked 15th with a time of 11.18 seconds.

Other former Ducks to qualify included Mandy White (11th in 11.11 seconds) and Jasmine Todd (21st in 11.26 seconds).

The semifinals begin today at 4:00 pm PT.