# #

Huskies Will Take Ten Men To Nationals

by gohuskies.com
May 27, 2022

2022 NCAA West Preliminary Championships
May 25-28 | Fayetteville, Ark. | John McDonnell Field

Men's Start Lists | Women's Start Lists | Complete Event Schedule

Live Results

Saturday Live Video (3pm PT)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Washington's men's track squad came into the final day of qualifying already with four men booked for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, but the Dawgs more than doubled that today, punching six more tickets to the final site via the NCAA West Prelims at John McDonnell Field.
 
The Huskies will have ten entries on the men's side at nationals at Hayward Field, from June 8-11. The women, currently with three tickets punched, have their final day of Prelim competition tomorrow, with multiple chances to build their roster.
 
Half of UW's six new qualifiers today came in the men's 1,500-meters, as the Dawgs got thrilling runs from Luke Houser, Joe Waskom, and freshman Nathan Green to take up a quarter of the West's 12 spots to nationals. No other school qualified more than one runner in the men's 1,500m.
 
Houser was up first in the first quarterfinal. He spent much of the race in second or third position, but moved into the lead on the backstretch of the final lap and continued to pull away along with one other runner. Houser cruised across the line in the second-fastest time of his career, 3:38.06, which would end up being the fastest time of the day.

 
Heat two featured Green and Waskom and went out at a slower pace so making the top-five was essential. The field was much tighter, with Green and Waskom making several moves in and out to stay near the front. Waskom started a kick with 300-meters to go that took him up to the front, and Green made his move as well. The first five runners separated a bit from sixth, and crossed within a step of each other. Waskom was second in 3:42.75, and Green booked his ticket with a 3:43.00 as the fifth and final qualifier.

 
The day started with an impressive lack of drama where Elijah Mason was concerned. The two-time First Team All-American stepped up and launched the discus 189-feet, 11-inches, on his first attempt, which put him into the lead. Mason was bumped down a couple spots but was in no real danger of falling out of the top-12, as he finished fourth overall to earn a third consecutive trip to the NCAA final site.
 
Pac-12 Champion Cass Elliott earned his second-straight trip to the NCAA final site in the 400-meter hurdles. He had to sweat out a time qualifier, as he took fourth in his quarterfinal heat in 50.53, one spot out of the auto-qualifiers. Following the next two heats, Elliott's time held up as the coveted No. 12 spot, and he lives to race another NCAA semi. Sophomore Jonathan Birchman finished 21st overall in the quarterfinals today, with a time of 52.71.
 
The final Husky qualifier was 5k school record-holder Brian Fay, who came in as the No. 1 seed in the West and solidified that with a victory. Fay sat near the middle of the pack for much of the race, but climbed the field late and then took off with a big kick on the final lap to open up a 10-15 meter lead. Fay held on for the win in 13:28.41, earning himself a shot at what would be a third All-America honor of the school year.

 
Isaac Green came up just a few places shy of advancing in the 5k, as he was 17th overall in 13:43.79. Kieran Lumb, who qualified in the 10k on Wednesday, doubled back to run the 5k and was 23rd today in 13:45.52.
 
Running in his first NCAA Prelims in the steeplechase, sophomore Sam Affolder gave it his all and had a strong time of 8:47.88 which earned him a top-20 finish, good for 19th overall to cap his best season to date.
 
 
Washington Results – NCAA West Preliminaries
Day 3 of 4
 
Men's 1,500m, Quarterfinal, Heat 1 of 2: 1. Luke Houser 3:38.06 (advances to NCAAs); Heat 2 of 2: 2. Joe Waskom 3:42.75 (advances to NCAAs); 5. Nathan Green 3:43.00 (advances to NCAAs)
Men's 5,000m, Semifinal, Heat 1 of 2: 9. Isaac Green 13:43.79; Heat 2 of 2: 1. Brian Fay 13:28.41 (advances to NCAAs); 12. Kieran Lumb 13:45.52.
Men's 400m Hurdles, Quarterfinal, Heat 1 of 3: 4. Cass Elliot 50.53 (advances to NCAAs); Heat 2 of 3: 7. Jonathan Birchman 52.71
Men's Steeplechase, Quarterfinal, Heat 1 of 3: 6. Sam Affolder 8:47.88
Men's Discus (top-12 to NCAAs): 4. Elijah Mason 189-11 (advances to NCAAs)
 
Huskies Advancing to NCAA Championships in Eugene
Roan Allen, Men's Javelin
Makenna Barton, Women's Pole Vault
Cass Elliott, Men's 400m Hurdles
Brian Fay, Men's 5,000m
Nathan Green, Men's 1,500m
Haley Herberg, Women's 10,000m
Luke Houser, Men's 1,500m
Kieran Lumb, Men's 10,000m
Elijah Mason, Men's Discus
Joe Waskom, Men's 1,500m
Jayden White, Men's Hammer
Ida Eikeng, Women's Heptathlon (advances without Prelim competition)
Ollie Thorner, Men's Decathlon (advances without Prelim competition)

Remaining schedule at NCAA West Preliminaries

Saturday, May 28 (all times Pacific)
11:00 am - Women's Discus - Beatrice Asomaning (Flight 3), MaKayla Kelby (Flight 3)
3:15 pm - Women's 1,500m Quarterfinal - Anna Gibson, Madison Heisterman, Sophie O'Sullivan
5:05 pm - Women's 800m Quarterfinal - Carley Thomas
6:10 pm - Women's 5,000m Semifinal - Haley Herberg, Allie Schadler

Related News & Videos