Published Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:30 AM

A&M's gladiator grad advances

It looks like Aggie Gladiator Tim Oliphant will go on to compete in another round.

The 2000 graduate was featured for a second time Monday on NBC's American Gladiators reality/game show, which began airing its semi-final rounds.

He defeated two contestants after Iraq War veteran Alexander Coates had to bow out in the middle of the episode because of a dislocated finger. Coates' replacement failed to overcome the five-point deficit he inherited.

"You are the man, brother. You are faster than a speeding bullet," host Hulk Hogan told Oliphant after the 33-year-old, who now lives in Missouri, logged a record-setting time for the final Eliminator round a second consecutive time.

"I know the Gladiators are out to get me, so bring on the contact," Oliphant said at the beginning of the show.

Two more finalists are expected to be selected in coming weeks. If Oliphant's Eliminator time remains one of the top two, he will return for the grand finale episode next month. The winner of that episode will recieve $100,000 and an SUV.

-- Craig Kapitan

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