Finley And Fattig Book Their Tickets To Eugene, Three Other Jayhawks Advance At 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships--West Preliminary
May 27, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas –
Kansas freshman thrower Mason Finley collected a second place finish in the shot put and senior jumper Eric Fattig finished 10th in the long jump here Thursday at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships–West Preliminary held at Mike A. Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas. Finley’s second place finish and Fattig’s 10th place finish book their tickets to the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships which will be held at Hayward Stadium on the campus of the University of Oregon, June 9-12.
Finley recorded a mark of 19.00 meters on his first throw of the afternoon, which was good enough to claim his second place finish, but the Salida, Colo., native was not done. After moving into the finals with the mark on his first throw of the competition, Finley continued to improve before tossing his best throw of the day on his final turn. Finley narrowly missed setting a new personal best with his mark of 19.25 meters (63-02.00 ft.). He has previously recorded a mark of 19.26 on the season.
“I had a good progression today,” said Finley, who was recently named the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Male Outstanding Freshman of the Year. “Technically I feel really good about my throws. It was an exciting competition. I know what I need to improve on before I head to Oregon, so now I just need to go back to work.”
Fattig’s road to Eugene was a little more dramatic as he had to continue to battle until the final jumps of the competition to secure his spot at the National Championships. Fattig was the last athlete to advance into the finals as he posted a mark of 7.40 meters (24-03.50 ft.) in the preliminaries.
Once the finals began, Fattig moved up the list with his mark of 7.56 meters (24-09.75 ft.) on his fifth jump before recording a foul on his final jump in the competition. His improved jump in the finals was good enough for him to move up to 10th place and make a trip to the National Championship meet for the first time in his KU career.
“I am going to have a hard time sleeping tonight,” said Fattig, a native of Kearny, Neb. “This is a really exciting moment. To be able to finish out my career going farther than I ever have before is a great feeling.”
While Finley and Fattig have punched their tickets to Eugene, three other Jayhawks got one step closer with their performances on the track Thursday. KU senior Lauren Bonds advanced to Saturday’s final in the 1,500 meters, while a pair of freshmen in Kyle Clemons and Taylor Washington advanced in the men’s and women’s 400 meters, respectively.
Bonds, who battled temperatures in the mid-90’s, was the winner of the fourth heat in the 1,500 meters with her time of 4:23.57. She will race again on Saturday, afternoon looking to become the second Kansas athlete to move on to Eugene.
Bonds got out to a good start, but then found herself boxed in with roughly 800 meters to go in the race. She then maneuvered out of the inside lane and worked herself around a few of her competitors with about 600 meters to go. Bonds headed down the final straight away with two runners in front of her, but shifted into a higher gear to cross the finish line in the lead.
“I am happy with how the race turned out today,” said Bonds, a native of Hutchinson, Kan. “I did get boxed in and have to work my way out, but it was still a good race. It is hot out here, but I had hydrated well in preparation so it was not a huge factor. Now I need to go back to the hotel and get a good meal and plenty more fluids so I can be ready to run again Saturday.”
Clemons turned in a personal best time of 46.29 in taking a second place finish in his heat. He took an early lead, getting a great start out of the blocks. Clemons battled down the stretch, trimming .14 seconds off his previous career best time, and advancing into Friday’s final.
“Coach (Redwine) has really been working with me on my start,” said Clemons, a native of Rowlette, Texas. “I got out of the blocks really well and just tried to stay with the leaders. It worked and I am looking forward to running again tomorrow.”
Washington also got off to a good start and likewise set a new career-best time as she clocked in at 53.50. She advanced to Friday’s final after taking second place in her heat, while taking .61 seconds off of her previous personal best.
“The first 200 meters I was coasting trying to keep my competitors within striking distance,” said Washington, a Houston, native. “Down the back stretch I gave it all I had and ran to make into the finals and that is exactly what I did.”
Both Clemons and Washington are no strangers to Mike A. Myers Stadium as they competed in the Texas High State Championships on the very same track prior to attending Kansas. Both athletes agreed the familiarity with the track was beneficial to their races Thursday.
“I ran on this track all four years in high school,” said Washington, who earned team MVP honors at Westside High School two-straight seasons. “I know the track really well and having friends and family be able to come support me really pushed me today.”
Kansas will return to the Mike A. Myers Track Stadium on Friday afternoon for more qualifying action beginning at 1 p.m., with the men’s pole vault.
Day 1 Agate — Thursday, May 27, 2010
Division I Outdoor Track & Field ChampionshipsWest Preliminary Round
Mike A. Myers Stadium – Austin, Texas – May 27-29, 2010
KANSAS RESULTS ONLY
Men’s Javelin Throw
39. Iain Trimble, 56.33m (184-10 ft.)
Women’s Pole Vault
Julia Cummings, No Height
Women’s Shot Put
38. Micah Wesley, 13.59m (44-07.00 ft.)
Women’s 400m Hurdles
42. Taissa Makhmayeva, 1:02.72
Women’s 1500m Run
4. Lauren Bonds, 4:23.57 (Advance to Saturday)
Men’s Shot Put
2. Mason Finley, 19.25m (63-02.00 ft.)
Men’s 400m Dash
9. Kyle Clemons, 46.29 (Advance to Friday)
28. Reggie Carter, 47.19
Women’s 400m Dash
10. Taylor Washington, 53.50 (Advance to Friday)
Women’s 800m Run
41. Cori Christensen, 2:12.97
Women’s Javelin
30. Heather Bergmann, 43.03m (141-02.00 ft.)
Men’s Long Jump
10. Eric Fattig, 7.56m (24-09.75 ft.)
