AUSTIN, Texas – A strong kick down the finish helped propel junior Jack Anstey into the finals of the men's 1,500-meter run at the 2019 NCAA Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin, Texas.
Competing in the first of two flights at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Wednesday, Anstey clocked a time of 3:46.73 to finish fifth in the heat and automatically qualify as one of 12 runners moving onto Friday's finals at 7:41 p.m.
"Jack closed in his last 300 meters in 39 seconds to climb out of 12th place and move into fifth to advance," ISU Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee said. "This was a high-quality field that required Jack's best effort and execution in order to move on. Now, we have to focus on recovery and get ready to race again on Friday in the finals."
The Newtown Toowoomba, Australia, native posted a career-best performance in the 1,500-meter run at the NCAA West Preliminary Round to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships. His time of 3:41.81 was not only a personal-best, but also an Illinois State school record topping the previous record of 3:42.19 that was set by MVC Hall-of-Famer and NCAA All-American Christian Goy in 2001 and had stood untouched for 18 years.
More information regarding the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be available on GoRedbirds.com during the upcoming week. For all the latest on Redbird track & field and cross country, visit GoRedbirds.com and follow the 'Birds on Twitter (@Redbird_TrackXC), Instagram (@redbird_trackxc), and Facebook (@redbirdsTF).
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