Track and field: Sheena Tosta, United States

BEIJING – Sheena Tosta waited four years for this Olympic chance. She is making the most of it.

“It was a long wait, but I’m finally here and I’m really happy,” she said.

Tosta won her semifinal heat of the 400-meter hurdles Monday night in 54.07 seconds at the Olympic Games.

Her time was fastest overall heading into Wednesday night’s final.

In 2004, as Sheena Johnson, she became the youngest woman ever to be clocked under 53 seconds (52.95). She won NCAA and U.S. titles and was the world leader heading into the Athens Olympics. She left without a medal, though, placing fourth.

She ran so poorly Sunday – fifth in her heat – that she had to watch the scoreboard to see if her time was fast enough to qualify.

“I got rid of some of the nerves from the first round and got my stride pattern together,” Tosta said. “It was really good.”

Indianapolis Star