LONDON — Duke alumna Shannon Rowbury qualified for the 1,500 meter semifinals in the 2012 London Olympics. The 2007 graduate ran a time of 4:06.03 to finish seventh in the fastest heat of the evening and earn the right to race again on Wednesday.

This is the second Olympic appearance for the San Fransisco, Calif., native. In 2008, she gave the U.S. its highest finish ever by a woman in the 1,500 meters by finishing seventh at the Beijing Olympic finals.

While at Duke, Rowbury was the 2007 NCAA indoor track and field mile champion and earned All-American honors in cross country, indoor and outdoor track.

Clarke Named Interim Athletic Director At Shaw: Shaw University has named Marcus Clarke its Interim Athletic Director, effective immediately. Clarke replaces long-time Athletic Director Alfonza Carter, who was named Dean of Students by Shaw.

Golf: Elon: Rising junior John Somers participated in the 3rd N.C. Amateur Match Play Championship hosted by Forest Oaks Country Club where he advanced to the Round of 16.

Duke: Reigning National Player of the Year Lindy Duncan will compete in the LPGA Jamie Farr Toledo Classic from Aug. 9-12, which will be held in Sylvania, Ohio.

Duncan, who is the reigning National Player of the Year in Division I women’s golf, will compete in the fourth LPGA Tournament of her career.

Cross Country: Duke: The program welcomes six newcomers. William Hague, Winnetka, Ill., Tommy Meister, Janesville, Wis., Eddie Merenda, LaGrangeville, N.Y., Daniel Moore, Melbourne, Fla., William Rooney, Greens Farms, Conn., Blake Udland, Short Hills, N.J.

Football: Shaw: The Shaw University Athletic Department will hold its first Shaw Pigskin Preview on Thursday at the Courtyard Marriott - Crabtree Valley. The event will begin at noon with a question and answer session beginning at 12:15 p.m.

First-year head coach Robert Massey, selected assistant coaches and players will be on hand to greet fans as well as field questions.

Duke: Duke began practice Monday with freshman Hud Mellencamp, the son of rocker John Mellencamp, on its roster.

Mellencamp was home-schooled and did not play high school football, but was an accomplished boxer in Indiana. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound defensive back was issued jersey No. 17.