LAWRENCE, Kan. – Due to inclement weather during the first day of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary Round all events were postponed to Friday, but that did not phase senior Ryan Rutherford as he clinched a ticket to the NCAA National Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
RESULTS
The Bloomington native started the west prelims on a strong note, as he ran a 10,000-meter time of 29:58.90 and placed tenth overall, solidifying his first trip to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. This was a historical moment for Rutherford and Illinois State track and field program, as he is the first 10K runner to represent the Redbirds at the national championship meet.
"Ryan is probably one of the fastest collegians in the NCAA over the past couple years that has not qualified for the NCAA meet in cross country or on the track, so this was long overdue for him," ISU head coach Jeff Bovee. "Two years ago, he broke the conference record and things didn't go his way in the NCAA preliminary round. I think he learned a lot from that race two years ago and as things started to develop late in the race, he covered moves well and was able to close the gap over the final two laps to finish tenth."
Due to the schedule delay all first round running events were eliminated and all running events were run as a quarterfinal. The heat winners and the next six fastest times advanced to Eugene in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash and the 800-meter run.
Freshman Shandall Thomas ran a time of 10.58 in the 100-meter dash. Unfortunately, he will not advance in the 100, but will be back tomorrow looking for a chance to advance in the 200-meter dash and the 4x100-meter relay. In the 400-meter dash, senior Sarah Mussallem posted a solid effort as she placed third in her heat and ran a time at 54.64. She will not advance, but has a chance to move on with her teammates in the 4x400-meter relay.
Anderson Devonish posted a time of 46.72, placing third in his 400 meter heat and nearly missing national qualifying standards as he placed 13th overall. Ben Montgomery had a nice showing as he ran a time of 47.26 and placed 25th overall. The duo will have a chance to advance along with their teammates in the 4x400-meter relay tomorrow, and Devonish will also run in the 4x100-meter relay as well.
"Andy just missed his second-straight trip to the NCAA meet in the 400," Bovee stated. "He ran a smart race, but just didn't have enough today but I know he's determined to come out tomorrow to help those two relays advance to Eugene."
Jackie Mink ended her season with a stellar performance in the 800-meter run, as she ran a time of 2:11.29 placing sixth in her heat. J.D. LaFayette posted a time of 1:55.46 in the men's 800 meter. McShea ran a time of 10:47.26 in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase and placed ninth in her heat, but her time was not in the top 12 and she did not advance.
In the evening field events, Emily Clay improved on her outdoor school record and vaulted a personal-best height of 13-6.25 (4.12 m) to finish in a tie for 18th place overall in the pole vault and Amanda McClain posted a mark of 19-2.75 (5.86 m) in the women's long jump competition.
"Emily just missed on her last attempt at 13-10. She was over the bar clean but her arm caught the bar on the way down and she just missed her ticket to Eugene," Bovee said. "It was heartbreaking for her to end that way, but she competed like a champ tonight."
Tomorrow marks the final day of the NCAA West Preliminary Round starting with the men's 4x100-meter relay at 10:15 a.m.— Dion Hooker, Jalen Lewis, Devonish and Thomas.
OTHER PERFORMANCE FOR SATURDAY (5/28)
Shot Put—Keller—9:30 a.m.
4x100m—Hooker, Lewis, Devonish, Thomas—10:15 a.m.
200m—Thomas—12:55 p.m.
4x400m—Christiani, Wilson, McClain, Wright, Mussallem—2:30 p.m.
4x400m—Montgomery, Hamilton, Lewis, Devonish, Farley—2:50 p.m.
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