Friedman advances to quarterfinals in 1500 meters
Fayetteville, Ark. - Mari Friedman advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1500 meters on Thursday, highlighting Oregon State's performances on the opening day of women's action at the NCAA West Preliminary Meet at the University of Arkansas.
The junior from Santa Cruz, Calif., placed seventh in the second heat of the 1500 in 4:19.45 and 14th overall after four qualifying heats. She nabbed the final qualifying spot, finishing .16 seconds ahead of the 15th-place woman.
Her time on Thursday was a two-second improvement from her clocking in the finals at the Pac-12 Championships (4:21.92) and about one second slower than her all-time best (4:18.20).
The top five finishers in each heat, and the next four-fastest times (24 women), advanced to Saturday's 3:15 p.m. two-heat quarterfinals. There, the top five finishers in each quarterfinal heat and the next two fastest times will advance to the NCAA championships, set for June 8-11 at Hayward Field in Eugene.
Freshman Isabelle Esler just missed qualifying for NCAAs in the javelin. She placed 15th in the 48-member field in 160-9, recorded on both her first and third throws of the three-throw series. The 12th and final qualifier's mark was 163-6.
Sophomore Ella Knott placed 40th in 137-9.
Junior Anneke Moersdorf placed 10th in her flight and 29th overall in the long jump at 19-7.25. She was seeded 43rd entering the competition; only the top 12 advanced to the NCAA championships.
Moersdorf tied the school record (20-1) and placed fourth at the Pac-12 meet, her final competition before Thursday.
Women's action resumes on Saturday. Senior Emma Nelson competes in the high jump at 12:30 p.m. Her qualifying mark is 5-8.75; she was seventh at Pac-12s in 5-7.25.
There are two 24-women flights. The top 12 finishers advance to Eugene; if necessary, there will be a jump-off for the final qualifying spots.
Redshirt junior Grace Fetherstonhaugh (9:44.76) and redshirt junior Kaylee Mitchell (9:48.79) will run in the 3000 steeplechase at 3:40 p.m. Saturday. Fetherstonhaugh placed seventh, Mitchell 35th at the 2021 preliminary meet; Fetherstonhaugh then withdrew from the NCAA finals because of illness.
There is one round, with three heats. The top three finishers from each heat, and the next three fastest times, qualify for the finals in Eugene. Fetherstonhaugh has the fifth-best qualifying time, Mitchell the seventh.
Up next
The NCAA Championships are set for June 10-12 at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
NCAA West Preliminary
Fayetteville, Ark. | University of Arkansas
Thursday's OSU results
Field events
Javelin finals: 15. Isabelle Esler, 160-9. 40. Ella Knott, 137-9.
Long jump finals: 29. Anneke Moersdorf, 19-7.25.
Track Events
1500 prelims: 14. Mari Friedman, 4:19.45 (advanced to finals).
Saturday's OSU entrants
Field events
High jump finals (12:30 p.m.): Emma Nelson.
Track Events
1500 finals (3:15 p.m.): Mari Friedman.
3000 steeplechase finals (3:40 p.m.): Grace Fetherstonhaugh, Kaylee Mitchell.