Grand Blanc grad Geena Gall, shown here during the Olympic trials, advanced through the semifinals, but missed the finals cut in the women’s 800 run at the Olympics on Thursday. Screenshot by Lisa Paine LONDON, ENG. – Grand Blanc and UM grad Geena Gall’s quest for an Olympic medal fell just short on Thursday, as the 800 meter runner qualified on time for the semis placing fourth in 2:03.85 in Heat 4 Monday morning. Gall posted a 2:05.76 in the semifinal heat, however, failed to make the top eight for the finals. Gall’s top competitor appears to be Caster Semenya, who sits in first place after a blistering 1:57.67 in the semis. The top eight women competed for medals Saturday morning after we went to press.

In women’s boxing, a first-year sport at the Olympics, Flint Northwestern’s Claressa Shields, 17, earned a gold medal in the middleweight division after defeating Nadezda Torlopova of Russia, 19-12.

See Wednesday’s edition for a complete Olympic recap. – L.P.