Two women with local ties qualified this morning for the semifinals in the women’s 400-meter track event at the Olympics, according to the London Olympics site.
Francena McCorory, 23, a former Hampton University and Bethel High School runner, finished first in the first heat with a time of 50.78 seconds. McCorory was running for the U.S. team.
Marlena Wesh, 21, a former Landstown High School runner who now attends Clemson University in South Carolina, finished third in the final heat of the qualifying round with a time of 51.98. Wesh is running for the team from Haiti.
McCorory is ranked third in the standings behind Amantle Montsho of Botswana and Antonina Krivoshapka of the Russian Federation. They were ranked first and second, respectively, with times of 50.40 and 50.75.
To learn more about the event, visit the Olympics site.
