BEIJING, China – It’s been an interesting up and down season for Sheniqua Ferguson.

She looked strong in the 100 meters (m) early in the season, quickly qualifying for the Beijing World Championships, struggled in her specialty, the women’s 200m, eventually turning it on in the half-lapper thereby becoming a double sprint qualifier for the worlds, and then struggled in the shorter race again.

Ferguson, 25, ran a modest 11.48 seconds to finish fifth in her opening round heat of the women’s 100m, thereby failing to make it through to the semis. Only the top three finishers in each heat, and the next three fastest times advanced to the semis, and Ferguson finished tied for 35th overall. It was the first time in her four trips to the senior world championships that she failed to make it out o the opening round of either the 100 or 200m.

“That 11.48 is nowhere near to how my practices been going. Everything, based on my practices, was looking promising, so to come out here and not make it past the opening round is very disappointing. It’s nowhere near what I wanted to do,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson struggled in her last race in the shorter distance, running 11.41 seconds at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Association’s (BAAA)/Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) National Open Track and Field Championships in June. Earlier in the season, she qualified for the worlds with an 11.21 clocking in Auburn, Alabama.

Ferguson’s time 11.48 seconds yesterday was significantly off those of the top qualifiers. Jamaican two-time World and Olympic Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and American Champion Tori Bowie were the top two qualifiers for the semis, in identical times of 10.88 seconds. Marie-Josee Ta Lou, of the Ivory Coast, was the third fastest qualifier for the semis, running a time of 10.95 seconds in the opening round heats. The final qualifying spot for the semis was grabbed by Ramona Papaioannou, of Cyprus, running a time of 11.29 seconds.

Ferguson appeared to get out of the blocks quickly, and looked good for the first 50 meters, but lost steam in the latter part of the race.

The 15th International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) World Championships here in Beijing, China, is not over for her yet though. Ferguson still has the 200m to compete in.

“The 200 has always been my specialty, so I just have to come out, put the 100 behind me, and use it as motivation,” she said. “Health wise, I feel really good. That’s another reason why I’m a bit disturbed. I’m very disappointed.

“This is my first time making it to worlds, and not making it past the first round. I’ll still be out supporting the rest of the Bahamian athletes, especially my teammates Bianca and Leevan. Hopefully, they can make it to the finals in their respective events, and bring home medals.”

Ferguson, long jumper Bianca Stuart and triple jumper “Superman” Leevan Sands all train with Bahamian coach Henry Rolle up in Auburn, Alabama. Sands will compete in the qualifying rounds of the men’s triple jump on Wednesday, and Stuart in the qualifying rounds of the women’s long jump on Thursday. They are the national record holders in their respective events. As for Ferguson, she will compete in the opening rounds of the women’s 200m on Wednesday evening here in Beijing.