July 9, 2008

BYDGOSZCZ, Poland - Marcus Boyd finished second in his semifinal heat of the 400 meters on the second day of competition at the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships on Wednesday afternoon.

Boyd clocked 46.88 to finish second in his heat and automatically advance to Thursday's event finals. Kirani James of Grenada won the heat in 46.55. Mississippi State's O'Neal Wilder clocked the fastest time of the semifinals at 46.08.

"When I went to make my move at 250, I almost veered out of my lane," said Boyd. "So that threw me off a little bit. At least I made it to the final. I like to make my move after the 200, but the runners to the outside of me were going a bit slower than the pace I normally expect.Before the race I was trying to stay as warm as possible and remain dry as long as I could. Hopefully the conditions will be better for the final.It should be a great final tomorrow. I just need to go out and perform like I have this whole school season. Hopefully I'll come out with the gold."

Boyd will start Thursday's finals out of Lane 8 on the nine-lane track. The freshman's personal-best time of 46.02 is the second-fastest among the competitors in the final behind Wilder's 45.54.

Also on Thursday, Tiffany Townsend begins competition in the women's 200 meters. The three-time All-American will begin out of Lane 3 in Tuesday's morning session.