OSAKA, Japan – Kevin Eastler and Anna Willard fell short in their bids to medal at the world track and field championships.

Willard., a graduate of Telstar High School, finished eighth in her heat of 18 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, failing to advance to the finals by one place. Willard’s time in the searing heat was 9:48.62 – the fastest of the three Americans – six seconds behind the final qualifier.

“It was hot, and I was flat,” Willard said. “I didn’t make a move when I should have.”

The hot temperatures also affected the competitors in the 20K racewalk. Eastler, of Farmington, led the U.S. contingent by placing 28th in 1:28.29, six minutes behind winner Jefferson Perez of Ecuador, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist, who won his fourth world championship.

“It was fair for the conditions, considering that I am supposed to do 50K in six days,” Eastler said. “I’m happy with my race. That 50K is going to be brutal. I’m going to rest and see how I recover. I didn’t hold too much back in this race. I was a little conservative at the start which was my plan. I knew the conditions would be brutal.”

Gay wins 100 gold

American Tyson Gay surged past Asafa Powell to win the 100 meters at the track and field world championships Sunday in 9.85 seconds.

Gay had the season’s best time of 9.84 seconds.

and was undefeated in the year coming into Osaka. Now, he has his first gold medal at a major international championship.

Powell, the co-holder of the world record, powered out of the blocks, leading most of the way until he was overtaken by Gay and Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas.

Atkins took silver in 9.91, and Jamaica’s Powell was third in 9.96.

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