Ariana Washington is already getting acclimated to her new home at Historic Hayward Field. Washington, who enrolled at the University of Oregon this summer, made the short walk from the dorms to the track to compete in the qualifying round of the women’s 100 meter dash at the IAAF World Junior Championships on Tuesday evening.

After not running in weeks, Washington finished the second heat in first place with a time of 11.67 to qualify for the semi-final on Wednesday. Her time was good for ninth overall.

“It’s good to get back into the groove and get used running with spikes on,” Washington said after the race.

Washington got off to a slow start, but emerged from the crowd in the last 50 meters to take the lead. Washington awknowledged after the race that the start of the race is something she needs to improve.

“That seems like a common denominator right now in all my races,” Washington said. “We’re working on my start a lot and definitely working on a lot in the dorms. Just trying to react to the gun faster.”

Qualifying for the semi-final is just one step towards Washington’s goal for the World Junior Championships. Washington aims to achieve a personal best in the race and eventually end up on the medal podium.

“It would mean a lot to me because I know that it’s just setting off my career as an Oregon Duck already, before I even get here,” Washington said.

Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @jhoyt42