Mississippi State
NCAA East Preliminary (O)
Six Bulldogs Qualify For Track & Field Nationals
May 30, 2015 | Track & Field
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With strong performances throughout the day, Mississippi State had six track and field athletes secure a spot in the NCAA Championships next month.
“They came in here with a goal in mind, they worked hard, they stayed focused and it paid off,” MSU coach Steve Dudley said. “I'm proud of how far they all have come.”
In the last race of the day for MSU, Cornelia Griesche ran a school record time of 9:58.06 in the 3000m steeplechase to qualify for the next round at nationals. This will be the second year in a row Griesche has appeared in Oregon for the NCAA steeplechase championships.
Another returnee to the national stage for the Bulldogs is Brandon McBride, who will have the opportunity to defend his title in the 800m run. McBride qualified Friday night in the event after finishing first overall with a time of 1:45.97.
Freshman Curtis Thompson's season will continue as well after qualifying for the finals in the javelin throw Friday afternoon. Thompson had a throw of 225-06 to finish 10th in the first round.
Also making the trip to Eugene with the Bulldogs will be Alfred Larry, who ran a personal-best 45.92 in the 400m dash to finish second in his heat and ninth overall.
With a time of 49.94, Scottie Hearn, who also made it to nationals in the event last year, was able to qualify for Oregon again after finishing first in his heat and second overall.
Marcus Jackson will be making the trek to Oregon to compete in the high jump championships. With a clearance of 6-11.75, Jackson was able to earn his spot in the finals. Competing alongside Jackson was Seth Peace whose best clearance of the day was 6-10.25. Peace came up just short, finishing 20th overall.
Running a time of 13.09, Erica Bougard finished first in her heat and sixth overall in the 100m hurdles. Bougard along with Ste'yce McNeil, who ran 13.31 to place 12th, qualified for Saturday's quarterfinals at 7:05 p.m. ET.
With a good effort, Shayla Luckett ran a time of 52.89 in the 400m dash. She placed 16th in the event as her season came to an end.
Another Bulldog whose season ended Friday was Tautvydas Kieras. Kieras had a
throw of 1780-00 in the discus to finish 23rd. Also in the discus, Sasha-Gaye Marston finished 44th with a throw of 143-07.
Tiffany Flynn placed 41st in the long jump with a leap of 18-04.25, but will compete in the triple jump on Saturday along with Ebony Brinker in hopes of continuing her freshman season. The two will kick off the final day at 4 p.m. ET in the event.
On the track tomorrow, Rhianwedd Price and Marta Freitas will look to qualify in tomorrow's 1500m run quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the MSU track and field teams visit HailState.com and follow on Twitter (@HailStateTF).
Friday Results
Women:
100m Hurdles (First Round): Kendra Harrison, Kentucky, 12.66
MSU: 6. Erica Bougard, 13.09Q; 12. Ste'yce McNeil, 13.31Q
400m Dash (Quarterfinals): Kate Funderburk, Florida State, 51.09
MSU: 16. Shayla Luckett, 52.89
3000m Steeplechase: Leah O'Connor, Michigan State, 9:35.33
MSU: 10. Cornelia Griesche, 9:58.06
Discus Throw: Katelyn Daniels, Michigan State, 188-00q
MSU: 44. Sasha-Gaye Marston, 143-07
Long Jump: Quanesha Burks, Alabama, 21-08.75
MSU: 41. Tiffany Flynn, 18-04.25
Men:
400m Dash (Quarterfinals): Vernon Norwood, LSU, 44.94
MSU: 9. Alfred Larry, 45.92Q
400m Hurdles (Quarterfinals): Quincy Downing, LSU, 49.89Q
MSU: 3. Scottie Hearn, 49.94Q
800m Run (Quarterfinals): Brandon McBride, 1:45.97Q
Javelin: John Ampomah, Middle Tennessee State, 245-06q
MSU: 10. Curtis Thompson, 225-06q
Discus Throw: Jordan Young, Virginia, 204-03
MSU: 23. Tautvydas Kieras, 178-00
High Jump: Marcus Jackson, 6-11.75
MSU: 20. Seth Peace, 6-10.25
Players Mentioned
