The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

RIO de Janeiro, Brazil: Even with a slow start, Pedrya Seymour managed to bounce back in the middle of the race to lower her national record and qualify for the women's 100 metres hurdles final tonight.

Seymour, the last of the Bahamian contingent to compete in an individual event as the games start to wind down, posted a second place finish in 12.64 seconds, erasing her previous record of 12.83 to advance to the final that completes Wednesday's programme at 9:55 pm EST.

She trailed American Brianna Rollins, who took the tape unchallenged in 12.47 in the first of three heats. It was the third fastest qualifying time behind Rollins and fellow American Kristi Castlin, who won the third and final heat in 12.63.

"I feel extremely well. The track is really fast and I give all the glory to God," said Seymour.

The 21-year-old student of the University of Illinois was one of three Bahamians who had qualified for their first appearance here at the Olympic, although Devynne Charlton is injured but here as a part of the team and Adanaca Brown didn't compete this year.

In the race, Seymour got left behind in the blocks, but she burst out in speed and picked up the field midway through the ten flights of hurdles. By the time the finish line was in sight, she had propelled ahead of her Cindy Roleder of Germany, dipping at the tape. But she wasn't able to catch Rollins.

"I can't remember to be honest," Seymour stressed. "I was just trying to get to the final and that was what I did. On to the next round."

In the final, Seymour will be smack in the middle of the pack in lane five, next to American Nia Ali in four and Rollins in six.

"This is where I want to be," she stressed. "I want to go home with a medal and I will go home with a medal."

If she does, Seymour will join Shaunae Miller, who is still celebrating her gold medal performance in the women's 400 metros on Monday.  On Tuesday, both Donald Thomas and Trevor Barry contested the men's high jump final where they were seventh and 11th respectively.