TCU
NCAA Preliminary Round
Frogs Advance Four To Eugene On Friday
5/28/2010 12:00:00 AM
May 28, 2010
PHOTO GALLERY | QUOTES | | VIDEO
"We had a very good day today at the NCAA Preliminary Round," said head coach Darryl Anderson. "I was very pleased with our performances today. We are sitting in pretty good shape going into tomorrow and I feel really good about what we got accomplished today."
Gipson soared 21 feet, 1 1/4 inches to place sixth overall and advance to the NCAA semifinals, while Covington, who came into the NCAA Preliminary Round ranked No. 17 in the West Region, jumped a personal-best 21 feet, ¾ inches on her final attempt to place seventh. Covington, a four-time All-American, recorded the third-best jump in program history on Friday night, while also soaring to the 13th best leap in the NCAA this spring.
"Our female long jumpers were outstanding today," said Anderson. "Both punched their tickets to the NCAA meet in Eugene in two weeks and did a great job for us. We are very excited for Neidra Covington. She finally jumped 21 feet today, which is a great feat for her."
Overall, Charles Silmon (men's 100 meters), Kristal Juarez (women's 400 meters), Whitney Gipson (women's long jump) and Neidra Covington (women's long jump) qualified for the semifinal round of the NCAA Championships on Friday in Austin. The next round of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will take place in Eugene, Ore., on June 9-12.
In the men's 100 meters, freshman Charles Silmon qualified for the next round of the NCAA Championships, clocking a time of 10.37 seconds to earn runner-up honors in heat No. 2 and cross the finish line with the seventh-fastest time in quarterfinal action at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
"Charles Silmon was great today. He was able to get through the preliminary rounds and move on to Eugene. The 100 meters is arguably one of the hardest events in the NCAA meet and its outstanding for a freshman to be able to accomplish that," said Anderson.
Silmon came back later in the night to lead a group of Horned Frogs in the men's 200 meters. The Waco native blazed to a first round time of 20.68 seconds to advance to Saturday's quarterfinal. Overall, Silmon, who finished with the third fastest time in first round action on Friday, placed first in heat No. 4 to qualify. Mychal Dungey, a three-time All-American, also advanced into the quarterfinals, breezing to a second-place finish in heat No. 4 with a time of 20.82 seconds. Sophomore k00.html" >Mark Barnes also qualified, placing second in heat No. 1 with a first round time of 21.03 seconds.
"We were able to get all three guys through in the 200 meters, which is good," said Anderson.
On the women's side, Chaniqua Corinealdi advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals, recording a time of 24.12 seconds.
In the quarterfinals of the women's 400 meters, junior Kristal Juarez moved on to the semifinal round of the NCAA Championships, grabbing the 12th and final spot in the West Preliminary with a time of 53.23 seconds.
"Kristal struggled a little bit, but she was able to get through. She now has two weeks to regroup and do well in Eugene," said Anderson.
Larissa Matthews, a freshman from Arizona, qualified for Saturday's quarterfinal round in the women's 100-meter hurdles, finishing second in heat No. 2 and ninth overall with a personal-best time of 13.41 seconds. Matthew's time is the third-fastest time ever recorded in program history.
"Larissa Matthews has a great opportunity tomorrow to punch her ticket to the next round of the NCAA meet," said Anderson.
In the men's 800 meters, sophomore Jack O'Brien just missed qualifying for nationals Friday night, finishing quarterfinal action 18th overall with a personal and seasonal-best time of 1:50.02, which is the eighth fastest time in program history.
"Hopefully, we can come back tomorrow and be able to add a few more student-athletes to our contingency going to Eugene," said Anderson.
TCU will conclude the 2010 NCAA West Preliminary Round tomorrow in Austin.
