Results
EUGENE, Ore. --- Day two of the preliminary round of the NCAA Division I Track & Field Outdoor National Championships featured 19 events, capped off by the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Junior Jared Bassett qualified for the NCAA Championships in Des Moines as he finished tenth in the 3000m steeplechase in a time of 8:51.57 (PR).
Bassett entered the Preliminary round with the 14th best time, 8:51.64, in the 3000m steeplechase event nationally this season. He shaved .07 of a second off of that time, setting a new personal record in the process, as he finished fourth in his heat and tenth overall in the event. The top 12 athletes in each event advance to the Championship round.
"I felt a little bumbed I wasnt in the top 3 but i'll have to run a little fater at nationals." Bassett said. "I'm pumped."
With Bassett advancing the Pilots have now had at least one competitor at Nationals in 20 consecutive seasons.
On the women's side, senior Natalie Hemphill placed 44th overall in the women's 3000m steeplechase with a time of 11:00.20.
Preliminary round events continue on Saturday as a total of five Pilots will compete in the men’s and women’s 5000m. The women’s 5000m will begin at 3:05pm while the men’s heat will begin at 3:45pm.