2005 World Championships
Helsinki, Finland
Day 3 - Monday August 8th
US preview

Team USA World Champs preview - Monday, Aug. 8 events
Monday, August 8
U.S. TELECAST: 5-6 p.m. Eastern, PAX (check local listings)
U.S. Webcast: www.wcsn.com

FINALS

Women's 100m semifinals 6:50 p.m., final, 9:35 p.m.

U.S. entrants: Lisa Barber, Muna Lee, Lauryn Williams

The scoop: All three women easily qualified for the semifinal round with second-place finishes in their quarterfinals on Sunday. Barber ran 11.15 while Lee and Williams each clocked 11.22. Tactics and speed both come into play in the semifinals. Three Americans in the final is a strong possibility if execution and strategy blend well.

Women's high jump final, 7:10 p.m.

U.S. entrants: Amy Acuff, Chaunte Howard

The scoop: Olympic fourth-place finisher Acuff and fellow Olympian Howard have jumped heights over 2.0 meters that could put them on the medal stand, if they can perform at their highest level in the final. It would most likely take a personal best - are they "up" for it?

Men's 10,000m final, 7:20 p.m.

U.S. entrants: Abdi Abdirahman, Meb Keflezighi

The scoop: Abdi and Meb are Team USA's most experienced distance runners, and Meb in 2004 became the first man to win an Olympic marathon medal (silver) since 1976. The 10,000m is a different animal, but both men look sharp. A two-time Olympian in this event, Abdi is coming off a personal best in the 5,000m this summer (13:13.32) and showed a tremendous kick to edge Keflezighi for the U.S. title. The American record holder, Meb is supremely confident.

Women's 3,000m steeplechase final, 8:35 p.m.

U.S. entrants: Elizabeth Jackson, Carrie Messner

The scoop: Two Americans will compete in the first-ever women's steeplechase final at the World Championships. Messner looked strong in Saturday's first round, running a personal best 8:39.68. Four-time U.S. champion Jackson's international experience should serve her well as the entire field enters uncharted territory.

QUALIFYING

Men's 1,500m semifinals

U.S. entrants: Alan Webb, Chris Lukezic, Rob Myers

The scoop: In yet another boon for U.S. middle-distance running, all three Americans advanced out of Saturday's first round. The trio will now set their sights on the final. None has ever competed on the World Outdoor Championships level, so this young group is breaking new ground. Personal bests and fast times tend not to factor into the semifinals: a strong finishing kick will be the key to advancing.

Women's 400m semifinals, 9 p.m.

U.S. entrants: Sanya Richards, Dee Dee Trotter, Monique Henderson

The scoop: Making it out of the first round was no obstacle for the U.S. contingent. Richards (51.00) and Trotter (51.44) both won their heats, while Henderson (51.65) cruised easily in her race to automatically qualify. Competition will heat up in the semifinals. But with grace under pressure, expect to see three Team USA jerseys make it into the final.