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Johnsen Into Steeplechase Finals as Cougars Open NCAA Championships

by wsucougars.com
Jun 8, 2022

EUGENE, Ore. - Jacob Englar narrowly missed second-team All-American honors with a 17th–place finish (5.30m) in the men's pole vault while Colton Johnsen (8:31.64) claimed a spot in the steeplechase finals as the Washington State men's track and field team opened the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday at Hayward Field.


Johnsen sat in a top-five automatic qualifying spot for the majority of the first semifinal heat in the men's steeplechase and owned the fifth-best time through the first seven of eight laps (7:23.04). Despite falling behind the lead group over the final 400 meters, Johnsen crossed the line with a new PR at 8:31.64.  With the second semifinal heat proving much slower than the first, Johnsen's seventh-place finish was enough to qualify him for Friday's steeplechase final which is scheduled to begin at 6:24 p.m (top five finishes plus the next two fastest semifinal times advance).
 

After competing on the same Hayward Field infield to win the men's pole vault title at last month's Pac-12 Championships, Englar finishes the outdoor season 17th in the nation in the event, missing out on an All-American finish by only one spot in the final standings.  Englar opened his NCAA Championships at 5.00m, clearing his first height on attempt No. 2. He initially struggled at 5.15m but cleared the bar on his third attempt before taking only two attempts to make it over 5.30m.
 

Valentina Barrios Bornacelli will take her shot at an All-American finish in the finals of the women's javelin tomorrow while Micaela De Mello will look to qualify for finals with her semifinal race in the women's 100m hurdles. Day two coverage will begin at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
 

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WSU Day One Results: 

Men's Pole Vault Final | Jacob Englar –  5.30m/ 17'ft -4.5"inches, 17th overall

Men's 3,000m Steeplechase Semifinal | Colton Johnsen -  8:31.64, 7th overall 

 

WSU Day Two Schedule:

Women's 100m Hurdles Semifinal – 6:32 p.m. | Micaela De Mello 

Women's Javelin Final – 6:45 p.m. |  Valentina Barrios Bornacelli
 

 

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