Despite fall, Bennett advances in 800

Controversy marred the women's 800 meter semifinals Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials at Hayward Field, as four competitors fell on the first lap of heat one, including Nike team member Kameisha Bennett, who lives in Knoxville.

Bennett, a former Lady Vol who trains with Hazel Clark, says she was elbowed by someone making a move on the inside which caused her to stumble and fall. Three others tripped over her.

Following a protest, the head official moved all four athletes to the finals, which will have 12 athletes competing for three Olympic spots.

"I felt good yesterday, I knew I had a good chance to make the team," said a frustrated Bennett. "I'm not going to name names, but someone elbowed me and that caused me to trip."

Bennett finished last at 2:19.98, but will get a chance to redeem herself.

Clark took second in her heat, running a 2:02.14. She led most of the way before being edged out at the finish line by Morgan Uceny, who won the race at 2:02.10. Clark advances to the 800 finals on Monday, where she will make a bid for her third consecutive Olympics.

"I tried not to look at what happened," Clark said of Bennett's fall. "It's hard when someone like that goes down. Something like that is scary. That's why I got in front right away."

Men: Tennessee's Rubin Williams qualified for the men's 100 meter quarterfinals early in the day by running a 10.18, but did not advance to the semifinals. He finished last in his heat of the quarterfinals at 10.26. His teammate, sophomore Evander Wells, did not make it out of qualifying, running a 10.28. Five records were broken and one tied in the men's 100 quarterfinals … Jebreh Harris, a former Vol, qualified for the men's 800 final, finishing fourth in his heat and eighth overall by running a 1:46.29. He will run in the finals Monday.

Late Friday: Sharon Dickie-Thompson, a former UT athlete, finished 20th in the women's 10,000, running a 34:10.46. Lynn Layne, a current Lady Vol, finished 22nd in the quarterfinals of the women's 100, running an 11.27.