PARIS – Former Coastal Carolina Chanticleer Melissa Jefferson advanced to the semifinals of the women's 100-meter dash at the Olympics Games on Friday morning.

In her Olympic debut, Jefferson turned in the seventh-fastest time at 10.96 out of the eight heats, advancing to the semifinal by finishing second in heat three. The Georgetown, S.C., native and former NCAA national champion is one of only three Americans to make the semifinals. 

Jefferson will race in one of three semifinals beginning at 1:50 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon for a spot in the final at 3:20 p.m. ET.