Mississippi State
NCAA East Prelims (O)
Seven Bulldogs Earn NCAA Championship Spots On Friday
May 27, 2016 | Track & Field
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Seven members of the Mississippi State track and field teams earned spots in the NCAA Championships during Friday's second day of action at the NCAA East Preliminaries in Jacksonville, Florida.
"We had another day with some great performances from our athletes," MSU coach Steve Dudley said. "We are proud of the seven athletes who qualified to go to Oregon, and we are excited about the opportunity to add to that total on Saturday."
Brandon McBride, the 2014 national champion in the 800m, earned the east region's top seed in the event on Friday as he powered past the field to cross the line in 1:44.89.
Sophomore Curtis Thompson made a strong start to the day for MSU, advancing to the NCAA Championships in the javelin. The Florence, New Jersey, native, who owns the nation's second-longest throw this season, tossed 228-04 on Friday to finish seventh.
Alfred Larry also claimed a spot in the June 8-11 NCAA Championships in the 400m, finishing third in his heat in 46.11 to claim the final slot.
A day after advancing to Oregon in the long jump, Erica Bougard punched a ticket in the high jump alongside Logan Boss. Boss cleared a personal-best 5-10.75 to tie for fourth, and Bougard also leaped 5-10.75 to tie for 10th.
Bougard, who will also compete in the heptathlon final, moved one step closer in the 100m hurdles, finishing seventh in 13.10 to earn a spot in Saturday's quarterfinals.
The Mississippi State women capped Friday's action with Cornelia Griesche and Antonia Hehr earning championship berths in the 3000m steeplechase. Griesche, who was named CoSIDA Academic All-District on Thursday, used a strong final push to win her heat and finish second overall in 9:56.81. Hehr also closed fast to take second in the heat, seventh overall, with a personal-best 9:59.32.
Rodrigo Rocha nabbed a place in Saturday's 200m quarterfinal as he finished third in his heat with a 20.92 clocking.
The Bulldog track squads wrap NCAA East Preliminary action Saturday.
For more information on the MSU track and field teams visit HailState.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@HailStateTF).
NCAA East Preliminary Meet (Friday)
WOMEN'S RESULTS
100m Hurdles First Round: 1. Kaila Barber, Notre Dame, 12.91
MSU: 7. Erica Bougard, 13.10 (q); 26. Tiffany Flynn, 13.58
3,000m Steeplechase Quarterfinal: Elinor Purrier, New Hampshire, 9:55.22
MSU: 2. Cornelia Griesche, 9:56.81 (Q); 7. Antonia Hehr, 9:59.32 (Q)
High Jump: Courtney Avery, Lehigh, 5-10.75; Claudia Garcia Jou, Akron, 5-10.75
MSU: T4. Logan Boss, 5-10.75 (Q); T10. Erica Bougard, 5-10.75 (Q)
MEN'S RESULTS
110m Hurdles First Round: 1. Dondre Echols, South Carolina, 13.58
MSU: 25. Ro'Derick Spears, 14.19
200m First Round: Brendon Rodney, LIU Brooklyn, 20.24
MSU: 23. Rodrigo Rocha, 20.92 (q)
400m Quarterfinal: Michael Cherry, LSU, 45.22
MSU: 12. Alfred Larry, 46.11 (Q)
400m Hurdles Quarterfinal: Eric Futch, Florida, 49.38
MSU: 13. Vince Castillo, 51.28
800m Quarterfinal: Brandon McBride, MSU, 1:44.89 (Q)
Javelin: John Ampomah, Middle Tennessee, 242-07
MSU: 7. Curtis Thompson, 228-04 (Q)
Q – Qualified for NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon
q – Qualified for Saturday's quarterfinals
Players Mentioned
