University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
NCAA West Prelim
Four Gophers Advance to NCAA Finals
5/25/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
May 24, 2018
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Nicolle Murphy, Heta Tuuri, Ashley Ramacher, and Kiley Sabin punched their tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship as the No. 11 Golden Gopher women's track & field team kicked off competition on day one of the NCAA West Preliminary on Thursday at Hornet Stadium.
Day one of the preliminary meet co-hosted by California State University, Sacramento and the Sacramento Sports Commission saw the Gophers compete in javelin, high jump, shot put, and the 10,000m with NCAA Championship berths on the line, along with first round heats of the 400m dash and 400m hurdles.
Murphy used a throw of 52.22m (171-04) to place fourth in javelin and secure her third NCAA Championship berth. Already a two-time All-American in javelin, Murphy moved into fourth place on her second throw and stayed there through the third and final round of throws.
Tuuri and Ramacher both advanced in high jump, marking the first time the Gophers have sent multiple high jumpers to the NCAA Championship in the same season. Tuuri earned her second NCAA berth while Ramacher will make her NCAA debut as Tuuri cleared 1.80m (5-10.75) to tie for ninth, and Ramacher tied for 11th at 1.75m (5-08.75).
Shot put saw Sabin earn her first outdoor and third overall NCAA berth. A two-time All-American indoors, Sabin placed eighth in the shot put with a throw of 16.42m (53-10.50). Nayoka Clunis (15.41m, 50-06.75) and Shay Nielsen (14.79m, 48-06.25) placed 26th and 39th, respectively as well.
Megan Hasz made her NCAA West Prelim debut in the 10,000m, clocking a career-best time of 33:28.11 to move into second among all-time Gophers and finish 20th at the NCAA West Prelim. Hasz's time was less than four seconds off the Minnesota program record held by Laura Docherty at 33:24.93 set in 2013.
Emerald Egwim and Titania Markland both advanced to the 400m quarterfinal on Friday night. Egwim won her first round heat in 52.57 seconds to automatically advance while Markland clocked a time of 53.48 ranked 19th in the first round to advance.
Emma Spagnola won her heat in the 400m hurdles first round, clocking a time of 57.68 seconds to secure her place in Friday night's quarterfinal round. Meanwhile, Rachel Schow finished fourth in her heat and 27th overall in 59.62 seconds; the top three in each heat and the next six fastest times advanced past the first round.
Ayesha Champagnie joined Murphy in competing in the javelin, placing 34th with a throw of 42.81m (140-05). She has already qualified for the NCAA Championship in the heptathlon as the top 24 declared student-athletes based on their position on the national descending-order list are accepted straight into the NCAA Championships. Among declared athletes, Champagnie ranks 10th with 5,821 points heading into the national meet.
NCAA West Prelim competition continues on Friday and Saturday at the Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, Calif., where the top 12 individuals and top 12 relay teams advance to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held June 6-9 in Eugene, Ore.
Minnesota is set to compete in the pole vault, discus, 100m hurdles first round, 400m quarterfinal, 400m hurdles quarterfinal, and 3,000m steeplechase on Friday with the hammer throw, triple jump, 100m hurdles quarterfinal, 5,000m, and 4x400m relay scheduled for Saturday.
NCAA Championship Qualifiers
4. Nicolle Murphy, javelin (52.22m, 171-04)
8. Kiley Sabin, shot put (16.42m, 53-10.50)
T-9. Heta Tuuri, high jump (1.80m, 5-10.75)
T-11. Ashley Ramacher, high jump (1.75m, 5-08.75)
-- Ayesha Champagnie, heptathlon (5,821 points
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