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Tampa's Cherry Reaches 100-Meter Hurdles Final

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By BILL WARD

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 18, 2008

Despite suffering the effects of the flu, Tampa's Damu Cherry is one step away from an Olympic medal after reaching the finals of the women's 100-meter hurdles in Beijing.

Cherry, a Leto High and University of South Florida graduate making her Olympic Games debut at age 30, earned her spot in the title race by winning her semifinals heat Monday night at the National Stadium, aka "The Bird's Nest."

Having just come down with the flu bug the night before, Cherry had struggled in Sunday's opening round, finishing third and having to qualify on time, not place. Monday however, Cherry looked more like the hurdler that is ranked No. 2 in the world when she powered to first place in her semifinals heat in 12.62 seconds, 0.04 ahead of U.S. teammate Dawn Harper.

"I just settled down and focused on making the final," Cherry said via text message from Beijing. "I prayed and gave my best effort and left the results to God."

The other American in the event, Lolo Jones, who is ranked No. 1 in the world, won her heat in 12.43 to lead all qualifiers into the finals. Jones and Cherry went 1-2 in last month's the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, where they posted the world's top two times this season at 12.45 and 12.47, respectively.

Tuesday's finals are slated for 10:30 p.m. Beijing time, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Tampa.

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