Nebraska track and field added seven NCAA Championship bids on Thursday at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Fayetteville, Ark. After the second day at John McDonnell Field, the Huskers have 10 bids to the national meet.
NU dominated the women’s javelin, securing four spots at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. Rhema Otabor finished second with a 186-10 (56.94m), Mirta Kulisic placed eighth with a 174-5 (53.16m), Eniko Sara took ninth with a 172-10 (52.69m) and Emanuela Casadei finished 12th with a 165-5 (50.42m). Adding to the javelin success, Dash Sirmon and Tyler Brown earned their own spots at nationals during yesterday’s competition.
Hillevi Carlsson provided a throw of 206-1 (62.81m) on her final hammer throw attempt to earn her first-career NCAA Championship appearance with a seventh-place finish. Cammy Garabian came close as the second athlete out of qualification, placing 14th with a 197-3 (60.12m).
In the women’s shot put, reigning outdoor national champion Axelina Johansson threw 58-10 1/4 (17.94m) to place fourth and earn her NCAA bid. Mine De Klerk was the first athlete out, placing 13th with a 55-8 ½ (16.98m). Amelia Flynt placed 16th with a 55-5 ½ (16.90m), Kalynn Meyer threw a personal-best 55-0 (16.76m) to take 19th and move to a tie for ninth on the all-time list and Kellyn Kortemeyer finished 34th with a personal-best 51-7 ¼ (15.73m).
Velecia Williams went far on her final long jump attempt to secure her spot at NCAAs. The mark of 21-6 1/4 (6.56m) put her at ninth and moved her to seventh on the all-time list.
Johanna Ilves qualified for the 100m hurdles quarterfinals with a personal-best 13.25. That time also moved Ilves up to a tie for fourth on the all-time list.
In the pole vault, Kylie Clark cleared a personal-best 13-5 ¼ (4.10m) to finish 22nd and break the all-time list, coming in tied for 10th in school history. Jessica Gardner placed 40th with a 12-5 ½ (3.80m).
Berlyn Schutz clocked a 4:24.12 in the 1500m to take 29th. In the 400m hurdles, freshman Abrielle Artley added a 29th-place finish with a 59.16. Darby Thomas ran a wind-aided 11.42 in the 100m to finish 39th.
The third day of competition is set to begin tomorrow at 10 a.m. (CT) with field events and 2 p.m. (CT) with running events.
NCAA West Preliminary Round Meet Information
Dates: May 22-25
Location: Fayetteville, Ark. (John McDonnell Field)
Remaining Times (CT): Friday - Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 2 p.m.; Saturday - Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.
Watch: Friday / Saturday
Live Results: Link