The Mustangs track and field team qualified for the NCAA West First Round quarterfinals in Fayetteville, Arkansas, according to a May 30 announcement. All three runners advanced from Thursday’s first round races and will compete for a chance to secure a spot at the NCAA Championships in Eugene.
One athlete placed second in her heat with a time of 13.38, earning an automatic qualification for the quarterfinals. She is scheduled to compete at 6:15 p.m. in the first heat. “The first round wasn’t the time I wanted, but I made it finals, so I am grateful for another chance on Saturday,” Sanders said.
Another Mustang runner achieved a personal best in the 800 meters with a time of 2:03.83, placing third in her heat and also securing an automatic qualification. Hilton is currently ranked eleventh going into today’s quarterfinals and will run at 7:05 p.m. “I am super excited to be here and have another opportunity to race on Saturday for SMU,” Hilton said. “I can’t wait!”
A third competitor also accomplished a personal best with a time of 56.87 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles, placing second in her heat and earning an automatic qualification; she is currently tenth overall heading into today’s race at 7:25 p.m. “One round down,” Chacchia said. “I’m ready to leave it all on the track on Saturday, and I’m hoping to punch my ticket to Oregon.”
In these races, athletes who finish among the top three in each heat automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship; an additional three fastest times across all heats will fill out twelve total qualifiers per event.
In field events, senior Hedda Kvalvag and one freshman are set to compete today at 6 p.m., participating in flight two of the triple jump where top twelve finishers will advance.
