Eugene, Ore., May 31, 2001 - Penn State sophomore Brian Derby won his semi-final heat of the 400-meter intermediate hurdles late Wednesday night at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. Derby, the Big Ten champion in the event, advanced into finals competition to be held Friday evening. The top eight finishers in that race earn All-America honors. Derby won his heat by nearly a full second posting a time of 50.31. His time was the fourth fastest among those that advanced to the finals, but more than half a second slower than his fastest time on the season.

One Penn State women's track athlete was in competition Wednesday as freshman Connie Moore competed in the semi-final heats of the 200-meter competition. Moore finished fifth in her heat with a time of 23.56 and did not advance to the finals.

Moore and senior Toyin Augustus will also be in competition this evening. Moore will compete in the trial heats of the 100 meters while Augustus will compete in the trial heats of the 110-meter hurdles.

One Penn State men's track athlete will compete tonight as well as sophomore Guy Rose opens competition in the trial heats of the 110-meter hurdles. He entered the competition with the seventh best time in the nation in the event.