BEIJING -- The hype surrounding the women’s 100-meter hurdles did not disappoint Thursday morning, as all four Americans automatically qualified for the semifinals and defending champion Brianna Rollins looked to be in fine form with the fastest time out of the heats. In total, 10 Americans advanced out of their respective qualifying rounds Thursday, including all U.S. competitors in the women’s 100H and men’s 1500 meters.

U.S. hurdle quartet automatically qualify for semis

Team USA’s dominance in the women’s short hurdles showed clearly in the morning rounds at the Bird’s Nest. Beginning her title defense, Brianna Rollins (Miami, Florida) drove out of the blocks and was clear of the field by the first hurdle. She clipped the seventh barrier but lost nothing and ran on to win in 12.67, the fastest time of the heats. Dawn Harper-Nelson (East St. Louis, Missouri) wasn’t the fastest out of the blocks but gained ground at each hurdle and ran on to win easily in 12.79. NCAA Champion Kendra Harrison (Clayton, North Carolina) got out very quickly and was efficient and clean over the hurdles on her way to a 12.90 that placed her second and earned automatic advancement to the semifinal. Sharika Nelvis (Memphis, Tennessee) hurdled carefully through the first nine barriers before clipping the final one and finishing second in 12.93 to move on to the next round.

American trio advances to 1500m semis

Matt Centrowitz (Arnold, Maryland) started things off for Team USA with a strong performance in the first heat, running out front with the lead pack. Centrowitz made it look easy, using his signature speed to charge toward the finish and grab the third automatic qualifier spot in 3:43.17. Leo Manzano (Austin, Texas) ran a smart race in the second heat, running on the outside of the pack toward the front. Manzano stayed out of trouble after a collision caused two runners to tumble to the ground. The Olympic silver medalist stayed cool and calm, cruising to an automatic qualifying finish of 3:39.22 for third. In the fastest heat of the morning, Robby Andrews (Manalapan, New Jersey) was bunched toward the middle of the pack for the entirety of the race, biding his time with the quicker pace. Andrews came across the finish as the fastest American in the heats and quickest on-time qualifier of the morning in 3:38.52.

Tully races third career 5000m to qualify for WCs final

Nicole Tully (Delray Beach, Florida) hung back with the chase pack for most of the race, always staying within 300 meters of Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, Kenya’s Mercy Cherono and the rest of the lead group. Tully was able to sneak in as one of the five on-time qualifiers with her eighth place finish in 15:41.03. The second heat was more strung out than the first, with Abbey D’Agostino (Topsfield, Massachusetts) and Marielle Hall (Haddonfield, New Jersey) hanging toward the back. As the field continued to spread, both Americans were caught too far back to make up ground. Hall crossed 10th in the second heat in 16:06.60, while D’Agostino was 12th in 16:16.47.

Bartoletta, DeLoach qualify for long jump finals

Two of the four U.S. competitors made it through to the finals. Diamond League champion Tianna Bartoletta (Elyria, Ohio) looked confident on the long jump runway, launching herself 6.71m/22-0.25 on her first attempt of the morning, good for third in her group and seventh overall. Olympian Janay DeLoach (Fort Collins, Colorado) improved to 6.68m/21-11 on her third attempt and made it into the final as the 12th and final qualifier. University of Oregon’s Jasmine Todd (Chandler, Arizona) switched gears from the 100 meters to compete in the long jump Thursday, her best jump of 6.52m/21-4.75 coming on her last attempt. She will now turn her focus to the 4x100m relay.

In her first international competition since winning the 2013 IAAF World Championships, six-time World Champion and Olympic gold medalist Brittney Reese (Gulfport, Mississippi) was unable to make the final for the first time since 2005. Hindered from recovery off of her hip surgery a few months ago, Reese’s best mark of the day was 6.39m/20-11.75.

Americans short on qualification for discus final

Russ Winger (Colorado Springs, Colorado) had the best mark of any American thrower Thursday morning, registering a toss of 58.69m/192-6 on his final attempt in Group B. Jared Schuurmans (Norfolk, Nebraska) had a best throw of 57.74m/189-5, also in Group B, and Rodney Brown (Chappell Hill, Texas) was unable to register a mark in Group A.

Lowe has tough morning in high jump

American record holder and two-time defending USATF champion Chaunte Lowe (Riverside, California) was unable to clear a height this morning and bowed out with three misses at 1.80m/5-10.75.

Action continues in Beijing with Thursday’s evening session and runs through Sunday, August 30.

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Full results from the IAAF World Championships can be found here.

Team USA Medals

Gold (1)

Joe Kovacs - Shot Put (21.93m/71-11.5)

Silver (3)

Justin Gatlin - 100 Meters (9.80)

Shamier Little - 400m Hurdles (53.50)

LaShawn Merritt - 400 Meters (43.65)

Bronze (5)

Michelle Carter - Shot Put (19.76m/64-10)

Trayvon Bromell - 100 Meters (9.92)

Emily Infeld - 10,000 Meters (31:43.49)

Tori Bowie - 100 Meters (10.86)

Cassandra Tate - 400m Hurdles (54.02)

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