KU's Dixon Moves On to Finals in China

Aug. 17, 2011

SHENZHEN, China – Kansas sprinter Diamond Dixon advanced to the finals of the 400-meter dash Wednesday night at the World University Games. The KU sophomore placed second in her semifinal heat to earn an automatic bid to the event finals. She will be one of eight women to compete for the gold on Thursday night at 8:05 p.m. (7:05 a.m. Central).

Running in the second of three heats, Dixon rounded the track in 52.97, just .09 seconds behind the heat winner, Estonia’s Maris Magi. Her semifinal time was the fourth-best among the remaining eight runners and improved upon her quarterfinal time (53.67) by over half a second.

“I had a lot of fun in my race today,” said the El Paso, Texas native, following the race. “I’m mildly disappointed that I didn’t win my heat but all that matters is that I’m moving on. I’m just going to suck it up and bring it in the finals.”

On Thursday night, Dixon will try to become the first KU female to earn a medal in the 400 meters in international competition. If she were to medal, she would add to a season where she has already won the Big 12 Championship in the 400 meters, earned All-American honors in four events, and been named the Midwest Female Track Athlete of the Year.

For updates and results on Dixon and Mason Finley’s progress in Shenzhen, stay connected to kuathletics.com.