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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — University of Iowa seniors Chris Douglas and Briana Guillory, and junior Karayme Bartley advanced to the 2019 NCAA Championships finals after finishing in the top-eight of their respective preliminaries Friday.
Douglas led the Hawkeyes, qualifying for finals after placing seventh (7.79) in the 60-meter hurdle preliminaries.
“I’m super happy to have qualified for the final tomorrow,” Douglas said. “Making a national final was one of my long term collegiate goals and completing that today has just proven to me how much my hard work and perseverance has paid off. Going into the race, I just told myself that I don’t need to go run some crazy personal record to make the final, I just need to run my race and I’ll be good. That’s exactly what I did, and it all worked out.”
The next to qualify for the finals was Guillory. She ran the 400 meters in 52.99, finishing sixth to make her second consecutive NCAA Indoor Championship 400-meter final. At the 2018 championships, Guillory finished sixth (51.68) in the finals to record Iowa’s second all-time mark.
“It feels good to be on the path to finishing college athletics as well as I began,” Guillory said. “I’m finishing where I started. Alabama was actually my first indoor nationals, so I kind of feel like my girls from that year are here with me.”
The final Hawkeye to qualify to finals was Bartley in the 200 meters. He tied for seventh (20.75) in the preliminary.
“I’m excited to make my first NCAA finals,” Bartley said. “I have two opportunities to wear Iowa on my chest on the big stage.”
QUOTING HEAD COACH JOEY WOODY
“It was kind of a rough day for the women. We had some high goals and didn’t get as much out of today as we had hoped. I’m proud of Jenny and Tria for making their first NCAA Championships, and I know they will be even more motivated and prepared to score points outdoor. I’m excited for Briana, making her second NCAA final, and I feel for Laulauga Tausaga, but I’m happy she has a another opportunity to perform tomorrow.”
“The guys had a pretty good day today. We had some highs and low, but overall, we are in a good spot going into tomorrow. I’m extremely excited for Karayme and Chris making their first NCAA Championship final. Mar’yea has a great opportunity to show his ability tomorrow on the relay, and Jaylan will be back strong for the outdoor season and be vying for a spot in the outdoor finals.”
“Tomorrow is going to be a great day for our Iowa. We have a lot of opportunities left to score points.”
DAY ONE ALL-AMERICANS
Seven Hawkeyes earned second team All-American honors. Senior Mar’yea Harris narrowly missed the 400-meter finals, placing ninth. The following also earned honors:
Second Team All-Americans:
Mar’yea Harris, 400 meters (46.96), 9th
Jaylan McConico, 60-meter hurdles (7.82), 12th
Tria Simmons, Pentathlon (4,090 points), 12th
Wayne Lawrence, 400 meters (47.73), 13th
Jenny Kimbro, Pentathlon (3,983 points), 15th
Laulauga Tausaga, shot put (15.84 meters, 51-11 3/4), 15th
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY TWO
The Hawkeyes compete in five events on Saturday including:
Events are listed in Central Time:
Laulauga Tausaga: weight throw, 4:30 p.m.
Briana Guillory: 400 meters, 4:50 p.m.
Chris Douglas: 60-meter hurdles, 5:20 p.m.
Karayme Bartley: 200 meters, 6 p.m.
Men’s 1,600-meter relay: Saturday, 6:55 p.m.
