Two former Cerritos College athletes qualify for IAAF World Championships
NORWALK – Former Cerritos College men's sprinter Ameer Webb and women's thrower Whitney Ashley have both qualified for the IAAF World Championships, which will take place in London from August 4-13.
This past summer, the two qualified for the Rio Olympics, with Webb placing sixth with a time of 20.43, while Ashley fouled on each of her throws and did not place.
Last month, in the USATF Championships, Webb won the 200 meters with a time of 20.09, while Ashley placed second in the discus with a distance of 62.20 meters (204' 1"). She posted her second place distance on her fifth of six attempts.
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The two will represent the United States, with Webb running his first heat on August 7, with the semifinals on August 9 and the finals the following day. As for Ashley, the qualification groups will take place on the morning of August 11 with the finals in the afternoon of August 13.
A two-time team state champion with the Falcons (2008-09), Ashley defeated the rest of the competition at the 2016 US Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR with a throw of 204, feet 2 inches (62.25 meters), which came on her fifth of six throws.
A two-time All-American with Cerritos, Ashley won the state title in the discus as a freshman and went on to transfer to San Diego State University.
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With the Aztecs, she won the NCAA National Championship in the discus in 2012. That same year, Ashley qualified for the US Olympic Trails and came in 22nd place.
As for Webb, he posted a time of 20.00 to come in third place in the championships of the 200 meters at the 2016 US Olympic Trials. He opened the prelims with a 20.27 to win his heat, while his time of 19.97 was the second fastest and sent him to the finals.
Webb was the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA National Champion in the 200 meters at Texas A&M University in 2013.
Prior to transferring, Webb won the state championship in the 200 meters as a freshman (2010) and the 100 meters and 200 meters for the Falcons in 2011. He still holds the school record for Cerritos in the 100 meters (10.16) and 200 meters (20.33).
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