Akinmoladun Advances, Bartel 14th at NCAA Indoors

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Oladapo Akinmoladun advanced to the 60-meter hurdles final and Landon Bartel tied for 14th in the high jump on the first day of the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday night at the Birmingham CrossPlex. 

Akinmoladun posted a time of 7.76 in the 60-meter hurdles prelims to place seventh in qualifying and earn a spot in the eight-man final on Saturday. Akinmoladun, the school-record holder in the event, reached the NCAA final for the second straight season, as he was a first-team All-American last year after finishing seventh.

Bartel, the Big Ten champion making his first appearance at indoor nationals, cleared 6-11 3/4 (2.13m) on his third attempt to tie for 14th place. Bartel couldn't quite clear 7-1 3/4 (2.18m), a height at which nine jumpers posted a clearance. Texas Tech's Trey Culver was the winner, as he was the only jumper to clear 7-3 3/4 (2.23m). 

The meet resumes on Saturday with Reka Czuth leading off for the Huskers at 2 p.m. in the women's high jump. The 60-meter hurdles final with Akinmoladun runs at 4:25 p.m., and Tierra Williams begins the triple jump at 5 p.m. The men's 4x400 relay is set for 6:40 p.m.

The meet will be streamed live at ESPN3.com, beginning at 3:55 p.m. on Saturday. A tape delay of the championship will air on Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.