Brown, Howard Reach Semifinals in Sprint Events

Alice Brown of Panorama City and Denean Howard of Sylmar gave strong performances in their qualifying races Saturday on the first day of the World Track and Field Championships in Rome to advance to today’s semifinals.

Brown, 26, the former Cal State Northridge star and 1984 Olympic silver medalist in the 100 meters, won her first-round heat in 11.42 seconds, then placed third in the quarterfinals, running 11.34.

Howard, 22, a member of the 1980 Olympic team as a Kennedy High sophomore, placed second in the 400-meter quarterfinals, clocking 52.06.

The semifinals and finals of the women’s 100 meters will be run today. Brown, who also will lead off the U.S. 400-meter relay team, is expected to make the final. Howard also will run in the 1,600-meter relay.