Bears Qualify Two For NCAA Championships On Day One
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – California track & field kicked off the NCAA West Region Preliminary on Wednesday, fielding nine athletes across six events in the first day of the four-day event at the University of Arkansas' John McDonnell Field. In that short time, the Bears produced two NCAA qualifiers – equaling their total from the 2021 season – and sent another onward to the next round of his event. Ivar Moisander (hammer throw) and Josh Johnson (shot put) finished in the top 12 in their respective events, qualifying them for the upcoming NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, while distance runner Garrett MacQuiddy finished 11th overall in the 1500m run preliminary (3:43.06) to move on to the next round on Friday.
Moisander, affectionately known as "Swede" to his teammates due to his country of origin, placed ninth out of 48 competitors with a top throw of 65.35m (214-5) to stamp his ticket to the championships. He had the meet of his life at the Pac-12 Championships two weeks prior, where four of his six throws broke his old personal record and earned him third-place honors; now, he has another chance this season to compete at Hayward Field and ideally better that mark against the best of the best.
Johnson followed up his Pac-12 Championship title with a personal best in the shot put on Wednesday, reaching a distance of 20.09m (65-11) to take third out of 48 total entries. His throw stands just four inches behind the current school record of 20.19m (66-3), set by Dave Porath in 1989. Johnson was bested by only the nation's No. 1 shot putter, Texas' Tripp Piperi, and Northern Iowa's Darius King (No. 6 NCAA).
Thursday's events will feature Cal's women, who are ranked No. 24 in the nation by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The women's hammer, featuring three of the Bears' 10 athletes competing that day, starts things off at 8:00 a.m PT.
Day One Results
Hammer Throw: 9. Ivar Moisander 65.35m/214-5 (Q); 45. Michael Gupta 56.62m/185-9
Long Jump: 26. Mason Mangum 7.44mw/24-5
1500m Run (Prelim): 11. Garrett MacQuiddy 3:43.06 (Q)
Pole Vault: T18. Tyler Burns 5.19m/17-0.25
Shot Put: 3. Josh Johnson 20.09m/65-11 (Q) (2nd Cal history) (PR); 22. Jeff Duensing 18.69m/61-4; 30. Jake Porter 17.65m/57-11
400m Hurdles (Prelim): 29. Will Sornberger 51.95
UP NEXT
Cal's women will take on Day Two of the NCAA West Region Preliminary on Thursday, starting with the hammer throw at 8:00 a.m. PT.
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