Bullock, Hitchler Claim All-America Honors at NCAA Championships

Eugene, Ore. - Senior Epley Bullock (high jump) and sophomore Tyler Hitchler (discus) became Nebraska's first All-America award winners of the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, as each earned the honor on the first day of the national meet in Eugene, Ore. Nine Huskers competed in five events on Wednesday, with a total of 22 NU athletes set to participate throughout the four-day meet.

Bullock claimed third place in the women's high jump to grab the sixth All-America award of her career and end a four-year reign that is among the best ever by a Husker high jumper. The finish ties her third-place showing from the 2010 indoor nationals when she passed former Husker Carrie Braness for the most All-America honors among any Nebraska women's high jumper in school history.

A native of Allen, Texas, Bullock was flawless through three heights, clearing 5-7 ¾, 5-9 ¼ and 5-10 ¾  all on her first attempt. She did not clear her first two tries at 6-0 and elected to move on to 6-1 ¼ with her final miss remaining. Bullock was then unable to clear and was eliminated from the competition in third place.

Hitchler showed further signs of high potential as the sophomore finished 11th in the men's discus with a toss of 178-8. He became the first Husker of the day to earn All-America honors, as he was the eighth highest American finisher. Hitchler's best throw came on his first attempt and was good enough for fourth in his flight before the final nine athletes stepped in the ring to leave Hitchler two spots out of the finals.

The Fremont, Neb., native finished 24th at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships and narrowly qualified for this year's field after an 11th-place finish at the 2010 NCAA West Regional last week in Austin, Texas.

On the women's side, redshirt freshman Morgan Wilken matched Hitchler's finish by also taking 11th in the discus. Wilken's best throw of 165-5 nearly gained the Crofton, Neb., native All-America honors in her first career NCAA Championship meet. She finished third at the 2010 Big 12 Outdoor Championships last month in Columbia, Mo.

In the combined events, junior Chantae McMillan used a victory in the shot put to propel herself into sixth place (3,341 points) through four events in the heptathlon. McMillan sat in 15th following the 100 hurdles (19th, 14.43) and high jump (12th, 5-4 ¼), but her career-best outdoor throw of 46-9 in the shot put boosted her all the way to third before a 18th-place finish in the 200-meter dash (25.90). The Rolla, Mo., native was the 2010 Big 12 indoor and outdoor champion in the heptathlon and will aim for her third All-America honor on Thursday when the final three events (long jump, javelin and 800-meter run) are competed.

Joining McMillan in the heptathlon and in search of her second All-America award is senior Megan Wheatley, who is 12th after day one with 3,244 points. The Perth, Australia native also had her highest event finish in the shot put, taking fifth with a season-best throw of 41-3 ¼. She had a season-best mark in the 200-meter dash as well, finishing 13th in 25.55. Wheatley was the 2009 Big 12 indoor and outdoor heptathlon champion.

Nebraska's 4x100 relay team of Scott Wims, Dan Christensen, Lukas Hulett and Dax Danns did not advance to the finals as they finished 13th overall in a time of 40.19.

The 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships continue Thursday with competition beginning at Noon CST. McMillan and Wheatley will conclude the heptathlon, while Jade Hodson (hammer throw) and Leandra McGruder (triple jump) also compete on the women's side. Nebraska men set to compete on the second day  are Lehann Fourie (110 hurdles), Tyrell Ross (110 hurdles) and the 4x400 relay team of Adam Dailey, Cylend Simmons, Tommy Brinn and Lukas Hulett.