Diamond Dixon Takes Fourth at World University Games

Aug. 18, 2011

Click Here to watch Dixon in the 400 meter finals at the World University Games

SHENZHEN, China – Kansas track and field’s Diamond Dixon placed fourth in the finals of the women’s 400 meter dash Thursday night at the World University Games. The sophomore crossed the finish line in a time of 52.76, besting both her quarterfinal and semifinal times set earlier this week. Dixon missed the medal stand by just .4 seconds.

As the youngest woman in the field of eight, the El Paso, Texas native hurried out to a fast start, moving out to the front of the pack within the first 200 meters. Dixon fell back as she went through the second curve, however quickly recovered in the final 100 meters to finish fourth. Russia’s Olga Topilskaya and Elena Migunova finished first and second respectively, while Kazakhstan’s Olga Tereshkova placed third.

While she didn’t medal, Dixon still proved that she is one of the top young 400-meter sprinters in the world and she will surely be using the international experience gained this week far into the future.

KU track and field still has one representative preparing for his final competition later this week at the World University Games. Mason Finley, who has already collected a bronze medal in the shot put earlier in the week, will look for another high placement in the discus throw. His competition will kick off with the qualification rounds at 10:45 a.m., Friday morning (9:45 p.m. Thursday night Central). If he were to advance, Finley would throw in the final, which takes place on Sunday evening at 6:40 p.m. (5:40 a.m. Central). For results and updates on Finley’s progress, stay connected to kuathletics.com.