FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For the second straight year, Alanah Yukich has advanced to the NCAA West Preliminary quarterfinal round in the 400-meter hurdles to highlight action for UTSA on Thursday at John McDonnell Field.
Less than two weeks after striking gold in the event at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships, Yukich clocked a time of 58.80 seconds to continue her quest to move on to the national meet in two weeks in Eugene, Oregon. The Australia native finished sixth in her heat, which was the first of six races in the field of 48, but she made it through as the last qualifier by time to Saturday's quarterfinal race, which is slated for 7:25 p.m.
Ingeborg Gruenwald came close to advancing to the NCAA Championships in the long jump. The second-team indoor All-American finished 14th with a mark of 6.21 meters (20-4.5), just shy of 12th-place finisher Velecia Williams of Kansas State, who leaped 6.22m (20-5) to lock up the final automatic qualifying spot. After opening with a 5.74m (18-10) measurement, the Austria native improved to 6.11m (20-0.5) on her second attempt before turning in her top effort on the third and final try.
In other action, UTSA record holder Marilis Remmel posted a javelin throw of 42.92m (140-10) to finish 37th, while Lacee Barnes measured 13.79m (45-3) for 45th in the shot put.
The UTSA men will be back in action on Friday with national meet berths on the line in four events.
In the field, Jemuel Miller and Grant Szalek will compete in the triple jump with the top 12 finishers earning a trip to Eugene, where can join Christiaan Le Roux, who advanced in the long jump.
In quarterfinal round action on the track, Bashiru Abdullahi will race in the 110m hurdles at 6:15 p.m., while Diego Pettorossi is in the 200m at 7:50 p.m. and he also will join Dennis Phillips, Trevion McCalla and Brice Chabot in the 4x100m relay at 5 p.m.
UTSA Results
Wednesday, May 25
200 Meters (first round)
22. Diego Pettorossi 20.78wQ (+2.8)
110-Meter Hurdles (first round)
4. Bashiru Abdullahi 13.55wQ (+2.1)
Long Jump
12. Christiaan Le Roux 7.69mq (25-2.75)
41. Jack Turner 7.12m (23-4.5)
Thursday, May 26
400-Meter Hurdles (first round)
23. Alanah Yukich 58.80q
Long Jump
14. Ingeborg Gruenwald 6.21m (20-4.5)
Shot Put
45. Lacee Barnes 13.79m (45-3)
Javelin
37. Marilis Remmel 42.92m (140-10)
-UTSA-
