Four Advance On Day 1 Of the NCAA Outdoor Championships

June 10, 2009

Results

Fayetteville, Ark. - The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships got underway on Wednesday with qualifying rounds. The Cardinal had several athletes advance in their individual events from John McDonnell Field on the campus of the University of Arkansas.

The Cardinal men excelled in the 5,000 meters with a pair advancing to Friday's final. In the opening heat, Elliott Heath paced the field for most of the race before finishing second with a time of 13:58.43. In the second heat, Chris Derrick coasted to a time of 14:01.37 to place fourth in his heat. The duo will advance to the final as the third and sixth seeds.

Also faring well for the men was freshman Amaechi Morton who qualified for the semifinals in the 400-meter hurdles. Morton cruised to a time of 50.37 to finish second in his heat. The Stanford record holder in the event will be the sixth seed for Thursday's semifinals.

Also competing in the distances, but failing to advance was Chris Mocko in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Mocko finished 23rd with a time of 9:02.27 in his first NCAA meet.

The lone Stanford male to compete in the field events on Wednesday was Kyle Davis-Hammerquist in the hammer. The senior competing in his first NCAA meet did not advance after a toss of 198-0 to place 19th.

Arantxa<!> King

The women were led by Arantxa King in the long jump. The Stanford sophomore leaped 20-4 ½ to finish in a tie for ninth and advance to tomorrow's final. King, who was a 2008 Beijing Olympian, will attempt to capture her first collegiate All-America honor.

The Cardinal had a pair of throwers compete in the qualifying rounds. Michaela Wallerstedt just missed advancing in the shot put after a throw of 51-9. Wallerstedt finished 13th, but only the top 12 advanced.

Jaynie Goodbody also competed, placing 24th in the hammer throw. She finished with a toss of 173-9 in her second NCAA meet.

In the distances, Kate Niehaus competed in the 5,000 meters, placing 22nd with a time of 16:48.89, but will not advance. Emilie Amaro also competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, but did not finish.

Competing in the sprints, but failing to advance was Griffin Matthew in the 100 meters. Matthew placed 21st with a time of 11.55.

The Cardinal will be back on the track on Thursday for more preliminary rounds in addition to the finals of the men's 10,000 meters and the women's long jump. Jake Riley and Arantxa King will attempt to score the first points of the meet for Stanford.