SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Luca Chatham advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal round of the men's 800 meters to highlight UTSA action Thursday at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary Round at Hornet Stadium.
Chatham finished second in his heat late Thursday night to earn one of the 24 qualifying spots for Friday's quarterfinal round in the 800m. The senior clocked a 1:51.33 to cross second ahead of Max Wharton (1:51.71) of New Mexico and just behind Texas Tech's Jonah Koech, who posted a 1:51.17. After timing a 56.86 on his first lap, he made up ground with a 54.48 clocking for his final 400m, the fastest split in the eight-man section.
Making his second straight NCAA West Preliminary appearance in the 800m, Chatham now will race in the quarterfinal round at 8:45 p.m. Friday, as the Dallas native aims for a top-12 finish and a trip to Austin for the NCAA Outdoor Championships on June 5-8.
Four other Roadrunners saw action on the first day of the three-day meet.
Vasha Sheriff just missed a spot in the quarterfinal round of the men's 400m. The senior from Amarillo clocked a 46.98 to place fifth in his heat and 24th overall, as one automatic qualifier with a 47.47 from the second heat earned the final berth to the next round.
Andrew Pirog finished 36th in the men's 400m hurdles with a time of 52.50, while Orla Brothers placed 37th in the women's 400m hurdles with a 1:01.28 clocking.
Olivia Esemena finished fifth in her heat and 37th overall in the women's 100m with a time of 11.86.
Patrick Prince will start his bid for a second straight All-America certificate in the 110 hurdles when the first round gets underway at 7 p.m. CT Friday. A two-time C-USA champion and four-time NCAA postseason qualifier in the event, he clocked a season-best 13.95 to secure silver at the C-USA Outdoor on May 12. The senior from Conroe finished eighth in 13.78 at last year's West Preliminary and earned honorable mention All-America accolades at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor after placing 20th.
The top 12 finishers in each event at both the West and East Preliminary Round sites will earn a trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on June 5-8 in Austin, Texas.
UTSA's NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary Qualifiers
Men
Luca Chatham — 800 meters (8:45 p.m. Friday)
Andre Douglas — triple jump (8:30 p.m. Saturday)
Patrick Prince — 110-meter hurdles (7 p.m. Friday / 9:20 p.m. Saturday)
Women
Danielle Spence — triple jump (5 p.m. Saturday)
all times Central
UTSA Results
Men
400 Meters
24. Vasha Sheriff 46.98
800 Meters
33. Luca Chatham 1:51.33Q
400-Meter Hurdles
36. Andrew Pirog 52.50
Women
100 Meters
37. Olivia Esemena 11.86
400-Meter Hurdles
37. Orla Brothers 1:01.28
