May 26, 2011
NCAA West Preliminary Photo Gallery (Thursday, May 26)
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EUGENE, Ore. – Seven Hawkeyes will run in the quarter final round of the NCAA West Regional after advancing from the first round of competition Thursday. The student-athletes had to fight through inclement weather in Eugene, Ore. to etch their names on the quarter finals heat sheet.
Senior All-American Steven Willey clocked a 46.65 in the 400, earning a place in the quarterfinal run Friday at 6:05 p.m. (CT). Senior Chris Barton also ran the 400, finishing in 49.28. Freshman Ashley Liverpool competed in the women’s 400 meter dash, posting a time of 55.10.
“I knew if I just ran my 46-low, I would be fine,” Willey said of his race strategy. “Everyone’s times were right around 46-low, 46-high, and I saw I was in third with 100 meters to go so I just tried to coast it in and stay smooth and get the auto-qualifying spot.”
Senior Tiffany Hendricks advances to the quarterfinal round of the women’s 400-meter hurdles. Hendricks posted a personal record time of 59.63 during the preliminary round to secure a place in the quarterfinal race Friday at 7:20 p.m. (CT).
Freshman Ethan Holmes clocked a 51.90 in the 400-meter hurdles, and junior D’Juan Richardson finished the race in 53.85. Holmes moves on to the quarterfinal round of the event which is scheduled to run Friday at 5:35 p.m. (CT).
Senior Adam Hairston ran a career best time of 1:49.10 in the men’s 800 meter run. Following closely was junior Erik Sowinski, clocking a 1:49.25. Both student-athletes made the cut and will compete in the quarterfinal round of the event Friday at 7:05 p.m. (CT). Senior Bethany Praska advances in the women’s 800 meters. Praska posted a time of 2:07.31 in the preliminary run of the event.
“It definitely wasn’t as fast as I was hoping,” Praska said. “But, with the weather, and the schedule being behind by almost an hour it was more about competing against the other girls and getting through to the quarterfinals tomorrow. So, mission accomplished there.”
Sophomore Jeff Thode ran a season best 3:45.30 in the 1,500 meter run. Thode’s time was the fifth fastest of the day, locking him a spot in the quarterfinal run of the event scheduled for Saturday at 3:45 p.m. (CT). In the women’s run, senior Lauren Hardesty recorded a time of 4:26.08.
In the field, junior Jeffery Herron placed 21st with a leap of 23-10 ¼ (7.27m) in the long jump. Sophomore Matt Byers finished 19th after hitting 211-4 (64.41m) in the javelin competition. Freshman Carisa Leacock made her NCAA Regional debut, recording a mark of 19-1 ½ (5.83m), earning 25th.
Competition will resume Friday morning with the women’s hammer throw, featuring redshirt freshman Ashlyn Gulvas, at 10 a.m.