World U20 Championships: Wrap day 2

Connolly built on her heat performance from yesterday, which was a season’s best of 52.99s. 

“Making the final was my main goal so I'm absolutely ecstatic!” Connolly told Athletics Australia. 

Ella Connolly strides to victory in the third semi-final (400 metre) in Tampere with a 52.78! Ella chats about ‘staying relaxed and having fun’ out there! pic.twitter.com/CvncxDLACB

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) July 11, 2018

“There's a lot of 52-second runners so I just need to stay relaxed. 

"Everyone wants to compete in the world junior final. I'm just going to give it my all,” she said.

Carley Thomas is through to the final of the 800m after a commanding performance in her semi-final.

The 17 years old crossed the line in first place and in a new personal best 2:03.19.

“I just wanted to go with whatever moves people made," she said

What’s better than a lifetime best? Why, 2 x lifetime bests!! Our 800 metre girls Carley Thomas and Jemima Russell run 2:03.19 and 2:04.81 in the semi finals this afternoon in Tampere. Carley will run the final later this week!!! pic.twitter.com/PsYELqgwbC

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) July 11, 2018

“I was trying to look in my peripheral vision to see if anyone was coming up and I thought it’s now or never,” said Thomas.

She will go into the final as the fourth-fastest qualifier.

Teammate Jemima Russell had a lifetime best of 2.04.81 to finish fifth in the second semi but it wasn’t enough to progress