Gonzaga's James Mwaura advances to third career NCAA championship spot at 10000m...
SACRAMENTO--Gonzaga's James Mwaura (Paul Merca photo) secured his third straight NCAA championship berth in the 10000 meters as the first day of competition at the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field preliminary round concluded at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State University.
Mwaura, who has raced very sparingly this outdoor season, stayed in the middle of the pack before moving up in the last 3200 meters of the race, latching on to a group of eight and finishing with a season best time of 28:22.05 to take seventh, eclipsing his best of 28:39.50 from the Mt. SAC Relays six weeks earlier.
Oklahoma State's Isai Rodriguez won in 28:17.98.
Washington's Leo Daschbach was 27th in 29:11.06, while Gonzaga's Wil Smith was 32nd in 29:22.59.
Jayden White of the Huskies was the first to secure his spot to Austin, as he used a third round throw of 227-4 (69.31m) to get out of the bubble position and move to sixth in the hammer.
In the javelin, Washington's Chandler Ault qualified for his first career NCAA finals berth with a second round throw of 225-9 (68.82m) to finish tenth.
Former Husky Jonah Wilson, now competing for Nebraska, finished eighth in the shot put with a throw of 64-9.25 (19.74m) in round 1.
In the pole vault, Washington's Jacob Englar advanced to Austin but cut it close, finishing in a two-way tie for eleventh, clearing 17-4.5 (5.30m). He started the day with first attempt clearances at 16-6.75 (5.05m) and 17-0.75 (5.20m), but needed a second attempt at 17-4.5 (5.30) to ensure his spot to his second national championship meet.
Bellevue native Mathis Bresko of Cal Poly, the Big West champion who earlier in the day announced that he was transferring to the UW, finished 19th overall with a best of 17-0.75 (5.20m). Eastern Washington's Zach Klobutcher bowed out with three misses at 16-6.75 (5.05m) after clearing 16-0.75 (4.90m) to finish 33rd.
On the track, the Huskies' defending NCAA 1500 meter champ Joe Waskom, along with indoor mile champ Luke Houser led qualifiers in the 1500, running 3:39.98 and 3:40.42. Aidan Ryan (3:42.98), and Nathan Green (3:44.17) also advanced to Friday's second round. Gonzaga's Yacine Guemali (3:44.15), Washington State's Zach Stallings (3:50.51) and UW's Aaron Ahl (3:50.78) didn't advance.
Washington State's Louie Hinchliffe (10.31) advanced to the second round in the 100 meters.
Pac-12 800 meter champ Sam Ellis easily advanced to the second round with a second place finish in his heat, running 1:48.38.
Pac-12 400 hurdles champ Cass Elliott won his heat in 50.40, while Washington State's Jared McAlvey was second in his heat in 51.07 to advance to Friday's second round. The Huskies' Jonathan Birchman also advanced to Friday's second round, running 50.47 to finish second in his heat. Matthew Wilkinson of Washington didn't advance, finishing seventh in 53.32.
Washington State's Mason Lawyer finished with a personal best 21.13 in the 200 meters, but did not advance to the second round.
The women take over the Hornet Stadium track Thursday with the first day of the regional competition, while the men resume on Friday.
NOTE: The NCAA, and the sports information offices of the University of Washington, Washington State University, Eastern Washington, and Gonzaga contributed to this report.
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