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Cougs See Eight Advance to NCAA Championships

by wsucougars.com
May 29, 2021

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Washington State Track & Field program wrapped up the final day of competition inside E.B. Cushing Stadium to see eight total entries advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

The men's 1500-meter got the day started for the Cougars as the duo of Paul Ryan and Zach Stallings were in action in heat number one. Ryan and Stallings both punched their tickets to Eugene for the NCAA Outdoor Championships as well. Ryan posted a second-place overall finish with a time of 3:38.87, just behind the leader from Oregon who finished with a time of 3:38.29. Stallings turned in an equally impressive performance with a fifth-place overall finish, recording a personal best in the event with a time of 3:39.32, which sees Zach remain at sixth best all-time in Washington State history also.

Sam Brixey continued the early success for the Cougars during the final day of competition as he too qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene. Brixey not only posted an incredible time of 13.70 overall, but that mark moves him up to seventh all-time in Washington State Track & Field history as well.
 
Suzy Pace was next up for the Cougars to continue the trend of qualifying for the NCAA Championships, as she punched her ticket in the high jump. Pace posted an official mark of 5-feet 9 3/4 inches (1.77m), tying her person best, went on to outlast the competition in an intense jump-off to secure the number 12 spot in the event and advance herself to Eugene. Fellow Cougars in the high jump that also competed were Aislinn Overby who finished in a tie for 19th with a clearance of 5-feet 9 3/4 inches (1.77m), and Kaylee Sowle who finished 24th with a personal best of 5-feet 9 3/4 inches (1.77m) as well.
 
The Cougars continued to secure spots at the NCAA Outdoor Championships as it became Colton Johnsen's turn to compete in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Johnsen ran in the top three throughout the entire race, as the only other competitors were just a second or less ahead. Colton continued to run at an incredible pace during this race's entirety as he would clock a time of 8:39.99, a personal best for him, which would result in a seventh overall finish, and the opportunity to run in the finals at Eugene.
 
Charisma Taylor continued to show why she is one of the best in Washington State Track & Field history, as she had yet another incredible outing in the triple jump. Taylor began the event with the only jump she would need, posting a mark of 44-feet 8 3/4 inches (13.63m). That jump would break her own WSU record in the triple jump as well, and she would not need to attempt another as she punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships.
 
The 400-meter hurdles event saw Stephanie Cho continue her dominance in a Cougar uniform, as she would end up with a seventh overall finish and earn a spot in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Cho recorded a time of 57.75, a personal best for her, and that mark sees her jump up to fourth all-time in Washington State Track & Field history as well.
 

WOMEN
400m Hurdles – Quarterfinals:  Stephanie Cho – 57.75 (7th), PR – Q
Triple Jump:  Charisma Taylor – 44-8 3/4 (13.63m) [3rd], PR – Q
High Jump:  Suzy Pace – 5-9 3/4 (1.77m) [12th], PR – Q; Aislinn Overby – 5-9 3/4 (1.77m) [24th]; Kaylee Sowle – 5-9 3/4 (1.77m) [24th]
 
MEN
1500m – Quarterfinals:  Paul Ryan – 3:38.87 (2nd) – Q; Zach Stallings – 3:39.32 (5th), PR – Q
110m Hurdles – Quarterfinals:  Sam Brixey – 13.70 (12th) – Q
3000m Steeplechase – Semifinals:  Colton Johnsen – 8:39.99 (7th), PR – Q
5000m – Semifinals:  Colton Johnsen – (DNS)
 

INTO THE TWITTER-VERSE

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Washington State Track & Field now turns its' sights on the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which will take place at Eugene, Oregon inside Hayward Stadium, June 9-12. The Cougars will see eight total entries at the National Championships, which includes Mitch Jacobson (high jump), Paul Ryan (1500-meter), Zach Stallings (1500-meter), Sam Brixey (110-meter hurdles), Suzy Pace (high jump), Charisma Taylor (triple jump), Colton Johnsen (3000m steeplechase), and Stephanie Cho (400-meter hurdles). 
 
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