May 25, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas -- Stanford continued from the NCAA Preliminary Rounds with several more earning a trip to Des Moines for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The women's sprinters were particularly impressive advancing in every race they ran.
Katie Nelms led the Cardinal as she won her heat in the 100 meters. The sophomore ran a wind-aided 11.40 to place third overall. Shataya Hendricks also advanced as she was seventh overall, running an even better wind-aided time of 11.31.
Nelms was not done, however, as she came back to win her heat of the 100-meter hurdles in 13.19. Kori Carter also advanced in the event as was second in her heat in 13.39.
Carter then came back to advance to the NCAA meet in the 400-meter hurdles, running a time of 58.08 to place 11th.
Hendricks also came back in the 200 meters and advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals. Hendricks ran a legal time of 23.80 to place 10th overall in the event.
In the middle distances, both 800-meter runners advanced to the NCAA meet as Justine Fedronic won her heat. Fedronic ran 2:05.57, while Joy O'Hare ran a personal best of 2:04.94 and will also advance.
Stanford also had three women in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, but each failed to advance. Emilie Amaro placed 33rd in ta time of 10:49.94, while Mary Kate Anselmini was 42nd (11:03.16) and Julia Foster was 45th (11:15.50).
In the field events, Katerina Stefanidi advanced to the NCAA meet as she tied for the lead, clearing 13-8 ¼. Ellie McCardwell cleared 12-10 ¼ to place 20th and will not advance.
Also competing was Rebecca Hammar who placed 17th in the discus. She tossed 164-11, but will not advance.
For the men, Amaechi Morton continued to make it look easy, cruising to a win in 400-meter hurdles. Morton had the fastest time by over a second, running a mark of 49.06 that was just a few tenths off his season best.
Also advancing for the men was Benjamin Johnson who placed 10th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Johnson ran a time of 8:51.44 as he attempts to earn All-America honors in the event for the second-straight season.
Finally, Spencer Chase ran the 400 meters, placing 25th in 47.67 and will not advance.
Stanford will be back at it on Saturday for the conclusion on the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds from Austin, Texas.