RIO DE JANEIRO -- The American teenager was talking as if her time in Rio was done -- the competition was just too intimidating, the Olympic atmosphere was too overwhelming and she was bothered by a persistent cold.Thats the thing about Sydney McLaughlin, even when shes not at her best and maybe a bit overwhelmed, she still finds a way to get things done. The 17-year-old from Dunellen, New Jersey, cut it close Monday night, but made it through to the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles.Looks like that summer homework project shes been putting off will just have to wait another few days.Its exciting to be here, said McLaughlin, who finished in 56.32 seconds -- the 20th fastest time, and just enough to advance. But its also a little intimidating, because a lot of people have done this before and have more experience than me. I mean, just to be here, at this age, representing my country, its amazing.McLaughlin wasnt exactly sure how to run this type of Olympic race -- go out fast or save a burst to finish. So, she decided to play it safe. Midway through, she knew that wasnt going to cut it and turned on the speed.Its hard to bounce back from some sloppy hurdles in the beginning, said McLaughlin, the youngest American track and field athlete to compete in the Summer Games since 1972, according to USA Track and Field. You waste energy trying to fix your stride pattern. Overall, the strength wasnt there.In fairness, she has been battling a cold.I went into the race with my expectations a little bit lower than shouldve been, said McLaughlin, who turned 17 on Aug. 7. It took me 200 meters to realize everyone is working for a spot here. Its not just another race.Its definitely not.A little down after her performance -- she didnt earn one of the three automatic spots -- she was almost resigned to having her experience in Rio draw to a close.When all the heats had finished, there was a big sigh of relief.Its so much to process in one race and try to overcome at one time, said McLaughlin, who didnt walk in the opening ceremony but plans to get involved in the closing ceremony. Im not really particularly happy with my performance. But whatever happens, happens.About her reading project which is due before she starts her senior year in about a month. She vows to get it done -- and she is an expert at juggling.No, really. She started a juggling club at her high school and can juggle while riding a unicycle.The homework, she said, Thats next on my agenda. Cheap NHL Jerseys . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Cheap Football Jerseys . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. https://www.cheapnfljerseysjustwholesale.com/ . World champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the gold medal with 237.71 points, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch followed at 208.45 and Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third at 187. Cheap MLB Jerseys . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. Cheap Jerseys . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. CALGARY -- Roger Jackson was appointed interim president of Alpine Canada on Monday. A 1964 Olympic gold medalist in pairs rowing, Jackson has more than three decades of high-performance sports administration experience. He was the founding CEO of the Own the Podium program between 2005-2010, which helped Canada win a national-record 14 gold medals at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Jackson takes the reins of Alpine Canada, the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing, from Max Gartner, who resigned in June. "Im pleased to assist Alpine Canada during this time of transition," Jackson said in a release after agreeing to serve on a temporary basis. He is not a candidate for the permanent position. "My goal is to provide interim leadership to the organization from this point until the new chief executive is in place," said Jackson. "We will support the athletes, coaches and staff and help them build momentum going into the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, in 2014." Jackson was also a senior adviser to the London 2012 Olympic Bid Committee and has been developing sstrategic plans to further improve Canadas high-performance sport system as a consultant.dddddddddddd "(Jackson) is a very experienced and successful leader who will give Alpine Canada and our partners and supporters great stability and continuity during the course of our search for a replacement for Max Gartner," said Danny Minogue, chairman of Alpine Canadas board of directors. "Max has made a long and lasting impact on (Alpine Canada) by always working hard to find the best coaching and management combinations to power our athletes to Olympic, world championship and World Cup medals. "He will be missed but after over 30 years of service his contribution to ski racing in Canada will always be remembered." Gartner had worked for Alpine Canada in various coaching and management positions since 1982. He had planned to leave when his contract expired after the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but decided to tender his resignation early in order to ensure a new president and CEO is in place for a crucial 2013-14 season. Gartner, who has yet to indicate his future career plans, will assist Jackson during the transition. ' ' '