SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Jaylan McConico closed out the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary Round in style Saturday, punching his ticket to the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 110-meter hurdles.
"Jaylan McConico is two-for-two this year, qualifying for both the 2018 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships during his fantastic sophomore campaign," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee. "For him to come out and win his heat, fighting all the way through the last hurdle, was a great accomplishment and was very exciting to watch. We can't wait to see what he will do on the national stage."
McConico proved why he is one of the top hurdlers in the nation, winning his heat in 13.70 to automatically advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 6-9. His mark was the third-fastest qualifying time out of the West region. McConico will be the second Redbird to make the trip to historic Hayward Field this season, joining teammate Anderson Devonish, who qualified in the 400-meter yesterday.
Several other Redbirds posted strong performances on Saturday, just missing NCAA qualifying spots. Jack Anstey competed hard in the 1,500-meter quarterfinal, crossing the finish line in 3:44.96 to place 14th overall, only two spots away from a trip to Eugene. The 2018 MVC Outdoor 1,500-meter champion and Indoor Mile Runner-Up closes out his impressive sophomore campaign.
D'Jenne Egharevba rounded out her 2018 season by breaking ISU's 200-meter school record twice in just as many days. After posting a 200-meter time of 23.71 in yesterday's first round, Egharevba poured it on in the quarterfinals today, clocking in at a personal-best 23.40 to finish 15th and re-set her own school record from yesterday. She was a mere three spots away from advancing to Oregon, and this comes after she entered the weekend ranked 36th in the West region.
Illinois State's men's 4x100-meter squad also made their presence known on the final day of the NCAA West Preliminary Round. The team of McConico, Ben Montgomery, Andy Hatch, and DeShaun Jordan finished in 40.75 to place 16th. The squad, who was ranked 19th in the West region, now sits seventh all-time in Redbird track & field history.
The men's 4x400-meter relay was a force to be reckoned with as well, also finishing 16th in a season-best time of 3:07.43. The squad of Devonish, Brandon Gage, Avery Lyons, and Ben Montgomery came into today's race seeded 22nd in the West region, ultimately improving six places. Their time currently ranks second on ISU's top-10 list.
Other Notable Performances
Men's High Jump (First Round)
38th - LaMont Allen (2.06m/6-09.00)
44th - Francis Ehigbai (2.01m.6-07.00)
Women's 4x100-meter Relay (Quarterfinal)
20th - Emily Cowan, Kelsie Prear, Demetria Anderson, Egharevba (45.48)
Women's Hammer Throw (First Round)
35th - Julia Bourke (55.37m/181-08.00)
McConico and Devonish will compete on the NCAA's biggest stage when they travel to Eugene, Oregon, for the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, June 6-9. More information will be available on GoRedbirds.com during the upcoming week.
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