For Aleec Harris, it was a milestone weekend. The former Barton track star earned his second trip to the World Championships, representing the United States.
Harris earned that honor by winning the 110m hurdles at the United State Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif. over the weekend.
Harris won the 110m finals on Sunday with a time of 13.41. That edged out Aries Merritt’s runner-up time of 13.31. Devon Allen rounds out the US team for the World Championships by taking third in 13.34.
Harris was in control throughout the weekend, winning all three of his races.
In the first round Saturday, Harris won the fourth heat with a time of 13.47. That was second overall to Merritt’s time of 13.41 in the third heat.
In the semifinals earlier Sunday, Harris captured the first heat with a time of 13.44, again second overall to Merritt, who won the second heat in 13.33. But when the two met in the finals, it was Harris who won the gold.
Harris made it to the semifinals in the last World Championships, finishing fourth in his heat and missing out on the finals in 2015 in Beijing.
Tyson Gay was not able to qualify for his fourth World Championships. Gay was not able to get past the first round of the 100m, finishing just one spot short of the semifinals. Gay ran a 10.17 to finish third in his heat and 17th overall. He needed a 10.16 to advance to the semifinals.
In the 200m, Gay made it to the semifinals but that is where his quest came to an end. He earned a spot in the semifinals with a 20.60 in the opening round – the eighth fastest time. But in the semifinals, Gay ran 21.37 and did not make the finals.
Former Cougar David Winters also took part in the USATF Championships, running in the 200m as well. Winters was unable to get out of the first round, running a 21.23.
The 16th edition of the World Championships will take place Aug. 4-13 in London.