SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The UTSA track & field student-athletes Adrian Riley, Andrew Pirog, Vasha Sheriff and Luca Chatham each competed during the opening day of the 2018 NCAA West Preliminary on Thursday.
SPRINTS
Sheriff, a junior from Amarillo, stopped the clock in 47.01 in the first round of the 400m dash. A two-time NCAA qualifier in the 400m, Sheriff placed fourth in his heat and 19th overall, which advances him to Friday's quarterfinal, in the 48-member field. In addition to the 400m quarterfinal on Friday, Sheriff is also scheduled to compete in the 4x400m relay on Saturday.
MOVING ON ?????? Vasha Sheriff stops the clock in 47.01 in the first round 400m to place 19th overall and advance to Friday's quarterfinal. Top 12 in the quarterfinal advance to Eugene. #ComeRunWithUs pic.twitter.com/m5Qy8AzbDb
— UTSA Track & XC (@UTSATrackXC) May 25, 2018
HURDLES
Pirog was the first Roadrunner to compete at the West Preliminary as he clocked a 53.49 in the first round of the 400m hurdles. The sophomore San Antonio native placed 43rd overall in the 48-competitor field in his NCAA postseason debut. Pirog does not advance to Friday's quarterfinal.
Sophomore Andrew Pirog clocks a 53.49 in the 400m hurdles to place 43rd overall at the NCAA West Preliminary first round. #ComeRunWithUs pic.twitter.com/h7PF23rnKa
— UTSA Track & XC (@UTSATrackXC) May 25, 2018
JUMPS
Riley a senior from Kingston, Jamaica, placed 17th in the long jump after a best leap of 7.47m. Riley, a two-time NCAA qualifier in the long jump, covered his best distance on his first attempt of the day, then jumped 7.46m on his second attempt before posting a 7.21m distance on his third and final time down the runway. While Riley does not advance to the National Championships in the long jump, he will make the trek to Eugene, Ore., to compete in the decathlon as he ranks among the top-24 in the nation.
Senior Adrian Riley covers 7.47m in the long jump to place 17th in the 48-competitor field at the NCAA West Preliminary. While he does not advance to the NCAA National Championship in the long jump, he will be in Eugene to compete in the decathlon. #ComeRunWithUs pic.twitter.com/KVVYgw8hx7
— UTSA Track & XC (@UTSATrackXC) May 25, 2018
MID-DISTANCE
Chatham, a Dallas native and junior, made his NCAA track & field championships debut in the 800m. He ran a 1:51.10 to place sixth in his heat and 26th overall in the 48-competitor field. Chatham does not advance to Friday's quarterfinal.
Luca Chatham, a junior, completes the two circuits of the 800m in 1:51.10 to place 26th at the NCAA West Preliminary. #ComeRunWithUs pic.twitter.com/mjgyYXRYuc
— UTSA Track & XC (@UTSATrackXC) May 25, 2018
UTSA's Friday Schedule
UTSA's time at the 2018 NCAA West Preliminary continues Friday with Patrick Prince competing in the first round of the 110m hurdles at 6:30 p.m. CT. Prince enters the event seeded eighth in the West region. Sheriff will compete in the quarterfinals of the 400m at 7:30 p.m. CT with a top-12 placing securing his ticket to the NCAA National Championships.
UTSA Results
Track Events
400m hurdles first round (men)
43. Andrew Pirog – 53.49
400m first round (men)
19. Vasha Sheriff – 47.01 >>> advances to quarterfinal
800m first round (men)
26. Luca Chatham – 1:51.10
Field Events
Long jump first round (men)
17. Adrian Riley – 7.47m
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