Jones Advances to Final in 200

Marion Jones of Thousand Oaks High advanced to the women’s 200-meter final Saturday in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in New Orleans, finishing third in her semifinal heat with a time of 22.91 seconds.

That made Jones, 16, the fifth fastest of eight qualifiers for today’s final. Gwen Torrence, who has already won the trials’ 100, had Saturday’s best mark, running 22.27.

Earlier Saturday, Jones placed second in her quarterfinal heat in a time of 23.12.

Jones, holder of the national high school and junior (age 19 and under) 200 records at 22.67, has already qualified for the U.S. Olympic team as a member of the 400-meter relay. Jones earned that honor with a fifth-place finish in the 100 final.