Georganne Moline waves to the crowd before the 400-meter final. Photo by John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Wildcats senior Georganne Moline ran her best on the world’s biggest stage, setting a personal record while finishing fifth in the final of the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the London Olympics on Wednesday.
Moline ran in 53.92 seconds, breaking her previous best of 54.31, which she set Sunday in the first round of the event.
Natalya Antyukh of Russia won the 400 hurdles in a time of 52.70 seconds. Lashinda Demus of the United States was second in 52.77. The bronze medal went to Czech Republic’s Zuzana Hejnova (53.38 seconds).
“She was fantastic,” Arizona head coach Fred Harvey said about Moline in a statement.
“She had a certain amount of resolve within her going into the competition, her whole demeanor going in, competing and getting the best race she possibly could was special. The most special thing about her competition was the fact that this was the first national team she’s ever been on and it happened to be the Olympics.
“I don’t think people realize how special that is. She has never been on a junior national team, a national team, or any of those things and for her to come to the Olympic Games and run two personal bests and finish fifth in the world, you have to be excited about that.”
Arizona volunteer assistant Bernard Lagat qualified for the Saturday’s final of the men’s 5,000-meter race by finishing fourth in his heat in Wednesday’s preliminary round. Lagat finished with a time of 13:15.45.
Arizona senior Brigetta Barrett begins the preliminary rounds in the women’s high jump at 1:30 a.m. Tucson time Thursday morning.