Nebraska track and field added seven NCAA Championship bids on Thursday at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Fayetteville, Ark. After the second day at John McDonnell Field, the Huskers have 10 bids to the national meet.

NU dominated the women’s javelin, securing four spots at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. Rhema Otabor finished second with a 186-10 (56.94m), Mirta Kulisic placed eighth with a 174-5 (53.16m), Eniko Sara took ninth with a 172-10 (52.69m) and Emanuela Casadei finished 12th with a 165-5 (50.42m). Adding to the javelin success, Dash Sirmon and Tyler Brown earned their own spots at nationals during yesterday’s competition. 

Hillevi Carlsson provided a throw of 206-1 (62.81m) on her final hammer throw attempt to earn her first-career NCAA Championship appearance with a seventh-place finish. Cammy Garabian came close as the second athlete out of qualification, placing 14th with a 197-3 (60.12m).

In the women’s shot put, reigning outdoor national champion Axelina Johansson threw 58-10 1/4 (17.94m) to place fourth and earn her NCAA bid. Mine De Klerk was the first athlete out, placing 13th with a 55-8 ½ (16.98m). Amelia Flynt placed 16th with a 55-5 ½ (16.90m), Kalynn Meyer threw a personal-best 55-0 (16.76m) to take 19th and move to a tie for ninth on the all-time list and Kellyn Kortemeyer finished 34th with a personal-best 51-7 ¼ (15.73m).

Velecia Williams went far on her final long jump attempt to secure her spot at NCAAs. The mark of 21-6 1/4 (6.56m) put her at ninth and moved her to seventh on the all-time list.

Johanna Ilves qualified for the 100m hurdles quarterfinals with a personal-best 13.25. That time also moved Ilves up to a tie for fourth on the all-time list.

In the pole vault, Kylie Clark cleared a personal-best 13-5 ¼ (4.10m) to finish 22nd and break the all-time list, coming in tied for 10th in school history. Jessica Gardner placed 40th with a 12-5 ½ (3.80m).

Berlyn Schutz clocked a 4:24.12 in the 1500m to take 29th. In the 400m hurdles, freshman Abrielle Artley added a 29th-place finish with a 59.16. Darby Thomas ran a wind-aided 11.42 in the 100m to finish 39th.

The third day of competition is set to begin tomorrow at 10 a.m. (CT) with field events and 2 p.m. (CT) with running events.

NCAA West Preliminary Round Meet Information
Dates: May 22-25
Location: Fayetteville, Ark. (John McDonnell Field)
Remaining Times (CT): Friday - Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 2 p.m.; Saturday - Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.

HUSKERS QUALIFY THREE TO NCAAS ON WEDNESDAY

Nebraska track and field began its NCAA journey on Wednesday at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Fayetteville, Ark. with three tickets punched to the NCAA Championships. Individuals must place in the top 12 this week to earn their spot in Eugene, Ore.'s field. 

Kevin Shubert won the men’s shot put in a personal-best 65-1 1/4 (19.84m) to secure his spot at nationals. Cade Moran placed 17th with a 59-10 ¼ (18.24m).

The Huskers went two-for-two in the men’s javelin, with Dash Sirmon launching a 244-5 (74.50m) to place fourth and Tyler Brown throwing 229-11 (70.09m) on his final throw to finish eighth. This will be Brown’s first NCAA Championship appearance. As a freshman, Sirmon wrapped up the NCAA Championships in 13th last season.

Sophomore Garrett Kaalund broke his own school record in the 200m, crossing the line at 20.47. That was the fifth-fastest time in the field and moves Kaalund on to the quarterfinals on Friday. Kavian Kerr closed in 41st with a 21.19.

In the 110m hurdles, Darius Luff qualified for Friday’s quarterfinal with a 13.30, the second-fastest time ran in the first round. Brithton Senior finished 28th with a time of 13.86.

In the men’s long jump, Kerr finished 19th with a distance of 24-10 (7.57m) and Micaylon Moore placed 36th with a 23-11 ¾ (7.31m). Henry Zimmerman threw 212-2 (64.68m) in the hammer throw to finish in 19th place.

Niko Schultz finished 35th in the 800m, crossing the line at 1:49.51.