TUCSON - Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Fred Harvey is in Moscow and he is keeping a blog of sorts to keep people updated on the happenings at the 2013 IAAF World Championships. Sunday marked the second day of competition while the final day is August 18. 
Senior-to-be (for indoor track, she has exhausted her outdoor eligibility) Alyssa Hasslen competed in the preliminary round of the women’s shot put on Sunday. She posted a mark of 52-4.75 (15.97m) and took 29th place overall. Hasslen was the lone Wildcat to compete on the day. 
“Day two was a great day out here in the old U.S.S.R.,” Harvey said. “The competition is everything one would expect at a World Championship meet. Getting our Wildcats ready to compete on this stage with the Usain Bolts of the world is truly humbling. At the same time, it gives you a great sense of confidence and excitement about where we are as a program but more importantly, where we are going! All of our Wildcats here in Moscow are here because they are one of the best in the world at what they do…it is just a great feeling knowing that they are the same as the Usain Bolts of the world and this is where we are at as a Wildcat program! 
“Today was not a very good competition day for our lone competitor Alyssa Hasslen in her first world-level competition, as she failed to make the finals in the shot put. She had a great experience and without a doubt, she will be one of our leading athletes in 2014 as we fight for another top-10 NCAA finish!
“Also, we made a trip to the Red Square and ran into Dave Hirsch, VP of Communications for the Pac-12 and a great Wildcat alumnus...what are the chances? The Red Square is something all Wildcats should experience just once…so much history and that was far more humbling than Usain Bolt!
“Stay tuned as your Wildcats ‘Bear Down’ in Moscow!”
Georganne Moline is the next Wildcat to compete in Moscow. The first round of the women’s 400-meter hurdles is set for 11:50 a.m. in Moscow on Aug. 12. In MST, that round will start at 12:50 a.m.
For continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat men’s and women’s track and field, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and follow @ArizonaTrack on twitter.