COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Alyssa Jones became the first Stanford woman to qualify for this year’s NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships through her performance in the long jump Thursday at the NCAA West Prelims at E.B. Cushing Stadium.
Jones finished third with a jump of 21-10 (6.65 meters) and was among 12 to advance to Eugene, Oregon, for nationals on June 11-14. Jones joins Cole Sprout in the men’s 10,000 as Stanford’s qualifiers after the first two days of the four-day West Prelims.
Jones put herself in position to advance in another of her four events. She advanced in the 100, running a personal all-conditions best of a wind-aided 11.24 to place third in Heat 6 and advance to the quarterfinals on place, and 15th overall. The quarterfinals act as the final qualifying round for nationals in multi-round events.
Jones sets herself up for a three-event day on Saturday, with the high jump at 1:30 p.m. PT, the 4x100 relay at 3 p.m., and the 100 at 4:35.
In the long jump, Jones improved on each of her three jumps, finishing ¼-inch behind Prestina Ochonogor of Tarleton State and Baylor’s Alexis Brown at 22-9 ¼ (6.94).
Jones, a junior and Atlantic Coast Conference champion, has qualified in the long jump for every NCAA Championships, indoors or outdoors, in her collegiate career – six in all.
Thursday was the first day for women’s competitions. Besides Jones, another Stanford highlight came from Roisin Willis in the 800.
Willis won Heat 5 of 6 in 2:03.57, more than 1 ½ seconds ahead of runner-up Ella Nelson of Oregon. The top three in each heat advanced automatically and six others did so on time. For the quarterfinal round, the top three in each of the three heats advance to Eugene, plus three others on time.
Willis, a junior, was the NCAA outdoor 800 runner-up last year behind teammate Juliette Whittaker and was the 2023 NCAA indoor champion.
Seven Cardinal competed Thursday. Teagan Zwaanstra and Hillary Studdert were in two events apiece. It was the first West Prelims appearance in an individual event for Zwaanstra, a senior, and the first overall for Studdert, a sophomore.
Zwaanstra was 25th overall in the long jump at 20-3 ½ (6.18) and 28th in the 100 in 11.41.
Studdert was 36th in the 800 (2:09.11) and 40th in the 1,500 (4:27.77).
In a race that determined qualifiers for Eugene, Audrey DaDamio was 19th in the 10,000 in 34:56.51 – 25 seconds out of the 12th and final qualifying place.
In the shot put, Kaiah Fisher was 40th in her highest placing at this meet and first in the shot. Her best distance was 47-9 ¼ (14.56).
Action continues Friday with men’s events. Seven Cardinal will compete in three events – the triple jump, 1,500, and 5,000. All determine NCAA Championships berths.
NCAA West Prelims
At E.B. Cushing Stadium
Thursday’s Stanford results
Women
100 – First round: 15, Alyssa Jones 11.24wQ; 28, Teagan Zwaanstra 11.41. Jones advances to Saturday’s quarterfinals.
800 – First round: 4, Roisin Willis 2:03.57Q; 36, Hillary Studdert 2:09.11. Willis advances to Saturday’s quarterfinals.
1,500 – First round: 23, Julia Flynn 4:20.72; 40, Hillary Studdert 4:27.77.
10,000 – 19, Audrey DaDamio 34:56.51.
Long jump – 3, Alyssa Jones 21-10 (6.65); 25, Teagan Zwaanstra 20-3 ½ (6.18).
Shot put – 40, Kaiah Fisher 47-9 ¼ (14.56).
Stanford’s Schedule (all times Pacific)
Friday
12:30 p.m.: Men’s triple jump (top 12) – F3: Xavier Drumgoole.
3:15 p.m.: Men’s 1,500 quarterfinals (top 5 + 2) – H1: Leo Young; H2: Zane Bergen.
6:10 p.m.: Men’s 5,000 semifinals (top 5 + 2) – H1: Robert DiDonato, Leo Young; H2: Thomas Boyden, James Dargan, Lex Young.
Saturday
11 a.m.: Women’s discus (top 12) – F2: Kaiah Fisher.
12:30 p.m.: Women’s triple jump (top 12) – F1: Alaysia Oakes.
1:30 p.m.: Women’s high jump (top 12) – F2: Alyssa Jones.
3 p.m.: Women’s 4x100 relay quarterfinals (top 3 + 3) – H3: Stanford.
4:35 p.m.: Women’s 100 quarterfinals (top 3 + 3) – H2: Alyssa Jones.
5:05 p.m.: Women’s 800 quarterfinals (top 3 + 3) – H3: Roisin Willis.
6:10 p.m.: Women’s 5,000 semifinals (top 5 + 2) – S1: Audrey DaDamio, Sophia Kennedy; S2: Zofia Dudek.
6:45 p.m.: Women’s 4x400 relay (top 3 + 3) – H2: Stanford.