Track and field: Kerron Stewart, Jamaica

BEIJING – It was only a second-round heat race, but the manner in which Kerron Stewart ran the 100 meters Saturday night showed she is a legitimate medal contender at the Beijing Olympics.

The former Auburn sprinter who competes for Jamaica defeated the United States’ Lauryn Williams, the defending Olympic silver medalist, in advancing to today’s semifinal round.

“I’m not thinking about anybody,” Stewart said. “I’m just running my own race.”

Stewart won the heat in 10.98 seconds after running 11.28 seconds to win an opening heat Saturday morning. Williams ran 11.07 in the second-round heat and trailed Stewart from start to finish.

Stewart, 24, came into the Olympics having run the second-fastest time of the season, 10.80, on June 28. Only American Torri Edwards, who also qualified for today’s semifinals, has run faster. Edwards ran 10.78, also on June 28, in the semifinals of the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Cincinnati Enquirer