Nebraska track and field added five NCAA qualifiers on Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Fayetteville, Ark., bringing its total to 15 through three days. Today was the final day of the men’s competition, as NU earned bids in the 200m, 110m hurdles, high jump and triple jump.
Sophomore Garrett Kaalund flew to a 20.25 to break the 200m school record once again and book his ticket to the NCAA Championships. That was the third-fastest time tonight and marks his first qualification in an individual event for the national meet.
Darius Luff is headed to his seventh NCAA Championship meet after running the third-fastest time in the 110m hurdles quarterfinals this afternoon. With a wind-aided 13.27, Luff cruised to first in his heat.
Tyus Wilson qualified for the NCAA Championships in the high jump, placing third with a clearance of 7-2 ½ (2.20m). He didn’t attempt the next height after securing his spot at nationals. Wilson currently leads the NCAA after a huge 7-6 (2.29m) at the Big Ten Championships on his way to the title. From Sterling, Kan., he placed fourth in the high jump at this season’s NCAA Indoor Championships and fourth at last year’s NCAA Outdoor Championships. Mason Kooi equaled his personal-best in the high jump, placing 18th with a height of 7-0 ¼ (2.14m). Reid Nelson added a tie for 19th with a 6-10 ¼ (2.09m).
Terrol Wilson and Micaylon Moore teamed up to add two more qualifications in the triple jump. With a 52-9 ½ (16.09m), Wilson placed third and with a 52-6 (16.00m), Moore grabbed fifth. Both athletes made their NCAA Championship debuts during this season’s indoor meet.
In the discus, Tyler Brown led NU with a 180-1 (54.88m) to take 22nd. On Wednesday, Brown solidified his spot at NCAAs in the javelin. Cade Moran pitched in a 26th-place discus finish with a distance of 178-10 (54.50m).
The 4x100m relay (Luff, Kavian Kerr, Brithton Senior, Jeremiah Smith) ran a 40.29 to finish 21st.
The Husker women will close the week tomorrow with field events starting at 1 p.m. (CT) and running events beginning at 5 p.m. (CT).
NCAA West Preliminary Round Meet Information
Dates: May 22-25
Location: Fayetteville, Ark. (John McDonnell Field)
Remaining Times (CT): Saturday - Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.
Watch: Saturday
Live Results: Link