Personal Bests Highlight Sprint Prelims
USAFA, Colo. – Four of the seven Ducks in action Friday at the Championships at the Peak meet tied or set new personal bests in their respective events. All seven have also advanced to Saturday's finals
In the Ducks' first event of the day, Emily Sloan lowered her personal best to 8.12 in the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles. With the conversion of .04 for altitude, she'll remain tied for 13th nationally with her time of 8.15 from the Tyson Invitational (Feb. 12). Sloan also holds steady at No. 3 on the UO all-time list.
The 60-meter hurdles final is set for Saturday at 12:40 p.m. (PT).
Paced by Kemba Nelson, the Women of Oregon swept the top-three spots in qualifying in the 60 meters. She equaled her season best with a time of 7.19 and were followed by teammates Jadyn Mays in a personal best of 7.26 and Brianna Duncan in 7.33; all three won their respective heats.
For the men, the Ducks occupied three of the top four spots in the prelims. Micah Williams was the top overall qualifier in 6.61, a new Cadet Field House facility record. He took down the old mark of 6.63 first set by Leonard Myles-Mills of BYU in 1999. Xavier Naire won his heat in 6.65, a new personal best and tied for the No. 6 spot in Oregon history. Gaston Bouchereau, another heat winner, stopped the clock in 6.68 good for the fourth fastest of the round.
The women's 60-meter final is scheduled for Saturday at 1:20 p.m. with the men's final to follow at 1:25 p.m.
In addition to sprint finals, day two of the Championships at the Peak will feature the women's triple jump for Dominique Ruotolo and Lexi Ellis. Entering the weekend, Ruotolo (13.15m/43-1.75) sits at No. 16 on the NCAA descending-order list.
Championships at the Peak – Day 1 Results
Men of Oregon
60 meters – preliminary
1. Micah Williams – 6.61q
2. Xavier Nairne – 6.65 (PR) [T6th at UO]
4. Gaston Bouchereau – 6.68
Women of Oregon
60 meters – preliminary
1. Kemba Nelson – 7.19 (=PR)
2. Jadyn Mays – 7.26 (PR)
3. Brianna Duncan – 7.33
60m hurdles – preliminary
1. Emily Sloan – 8.12q (PR)
The top 16 declared athletes in each event and top 12 in relays will advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships. The full list of entries is scheduled to be announced Tuesday (March 2) evening. The 2021 NCAA Indoor meet will be contested March 11-13 at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark.
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