Pair of ex-UBC Thunderbirds among first Huskies to qualify for NCAA finals...
Roan Allen (Paul Merca photo) advanced to Eugene in the javelin, as the UBC transfer threw 230-4 (70.22m) to finish 7th in field event action early Thursday.
Enumclaw native Connery McLaughlin of Arizona State was three places short of advancing with a 15th place finish at 217-6 (66.30m), and Zach Annanie of UW was 20th at 211-3 (64.39m).
In the final track race Thursday evening, former UBC Thunderbird Kieran Lumb stayed near the front of the pack but made sure he was out of traffic as he finished 11th in the 10000 meter run, running 28:49.48 in a race where twelfth is just as good as first for advancement to the national finals in Eugene.
After initially being listed one spot out of qualifying for his second straight national finals, Tacoma native James Mwaura of Gonzaga earned the last spot to Eugene, crossing the line in 28:52.55.
The error occurred when a lapped runner was counted as finishing 12th, but officials caught their mistake.
In a text to publisher Paul Merca, Gonzaga men's coach Pat Tyson considered filing a protest, but the mistake was so blatant that it was obvious to all.
Hammer thrower Jayden White of the Huskies finished eighth to advance to his second straight national championship, throwing 215-1 (65.57m).
Washington State's Pac-12 pole vault champ Jacob Englar advanced to the finals in Eugene with a first attempt clearance at 17-4.25 (5.29m). He had two first attempt misses at lower heights, but cleared the next two heights on his first attempt to secure his place in Eugene.
In other track action Wednesday, all three of Washington's entries in the 1500--Nathan Green, Joe Waskom and Luke Houser advanced to Friday's second round, as did Washington State's Zach Stallings. Tacoma native Jack Yearian of Oregon did not move on.
The Huskies' Cass Elliott and Jonathan Birchman advanced to Friday's round in the 400 hurdles, while WSU's Jared McAlvey and UW's Matthew Wilkinson did not.
Thursday, the women begin competition, while the men resume Friday.
Day 1 results are available here.
NCAA DIVISION II NATIONALS START THURSDAY...
Five members of the Western Washington University squad, and six from Seattle Pacific will compete at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships starting Thursday in Allendale, Michigan at the Grand Valley State Lacrosse/Track & Field Stadium.
WWU's contingent opens competition at the three-day championships with Ila Davis in the prelims of the women's steeplechase and Mac Franks and Calahan Warren in the prelims of the men's 1500m.
The Falcons' 4 x 100 relay team of Peace Igbonagwam, Vanessa Aniteye, Aniya Green & Jenna Bouyer and 400 meter dash (Aniteye) are in action in qualifying races, while Annika Esvelt runs in the women's 10,000 meter final and Igbonagwam goes in the long jump final.
Drew Weber will compete for the Vikings in the prelims of the 800m on Friday and Amanda Short will compete for a national title in the javelin on Saturday.
No Falcons are scheduled for Friday. On Saturday, it's finals in the men's triple jump (David Njeri), the women's 400 and 4-by-100 (for the eight fastest times out of prelims) and the women's 5000 (Esvelt).
NCAA.com will stream the meet all three days. The link to live results and the time schedule is available here.
NOTE: The University of Arkansas sports information office, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, and the NCAA contributed to this report.
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