SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Day one has come and gone at the 2023 NCAA West Regional Preliminary Round on the campus of Sacramento State in Sacramento, California. Wednesday saw five male student-athletes in action for ISU, as they looked to book a spot in the next round of competition.
It was another strong outing for Riley Wells in the men's 800m, as he used a strong closing lap to advance to the quarterfinals on Friday. Wells' time of 1:48.98 was the 15th-fastest in the opening round. He advances to race in Friday's event quarterfinals at 9:05 p.m. CT.
Freshman Jaylin Holmes was in action in the men's 400m hurdles, clocking a time of 52.57 in the opening round, finishing with a top-40 opening round time.Â
Junior Amiri Buchanan would get the day started for Illinois State, as the Romeoville native competed in the men's hammer to begin all competition, finishing with a throw of 53.23m (174-7) to finish 44th in the event. Buchanan would then compete later in the day, this time in the men's shot put, as he would throw for a mark of 16.78m (55-0.75) to wrap up his day out West.
Brandon Ratliff closed out his third outdoor campaign with the Redbirds, finishing 39th among the best in the West Region in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.24. Joe Boyer wrapped up his junior outdoor season with a throw of 16.80m (55-1.50) in the shot put as he made his second appearance at the NCAA West Prelims.
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