Allyn hurdler 0.15s short in Paris

Allyn native C.J. Allen on Wednesday finished fourth in his heat in the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic Games in Paris, and was 0.15 seconds off the pace of qualifying for the medal round.

The 2013 North Mason High School graduate had a time of 48.44. He advanced to Wednesday’s heat by placing second with a time of 48.64 on Monday. The finals are Friday.

The former Washington State University track star, now a 29-year-old Atlanta resident, qualified for the Olympics on June 30 by placing second in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 47.81 at the U.S. Olympic qualifying time trials at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene. He is ranked seventh in the world.

At North Mason High School, Allen won nine athletic letters: one for cross country, two for football, two for basketball and four for track.

Competing in the 2A state championships in the 300-meter hurdles, Allen placed fifth as a sophomore, second as a junior, and won the state championship at the Mount Tahoma 2A state meet May 25, 2013. He ran a meet record time with 37.33. Allen also won the 110-meter hurdles championship as a junior and placed third as a senior.