March 6, 2010
AUBURN, Ala. - Four members of the Auburn track and field teams were in action this weekend at Last Chance Qualifying meets, attempting to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships. With the field for the championship meet determined by an athlete's standing on the national performance list, the four Tigers in competition were trying to move up the list and improve their chances of making the cut.
At the Virginia Tech Final Qualifier, redshirt freshman Harry Adams improved his season-best time in the 60 meters by just .01 seconds, but it was good enough to nearly guarantee his spot at the NCAA meet. Adams entered the weekend ranked tied for 10th nationally with a time of 6.66 seconds, and after running a 6.68 in the first round, he clocked a 6.65 in the semifinals. With a spot in the NCAA Championships all but secured, Adams sat out the finals.
Also at Virginia Tech, freshman Maya Pressley tied for third in the high jump, but her mark of 1.77 meters (5-9.75) did not improve on her season-best mark of 1.81m (5-11.25). She is currently tied for 19th in the NCAA in that event.
Meanwhile two Tiger distance runners competed at the Alex Wilson Invitational hosted by Notre Dame. Sophomore Ben Cheruiyot finished ninth in the 5,000 meters with a time of 14:03.72, but did not improve on his season best of 13:54.86 that ranks 19th in the NCAA, so he must wait to find out if it will be good enough to make the field.
Senior Felix Kiboiywo ran the mile for the first time this year, but his 12th-place time of 4:05.45 was not quite good enough to make him eligible for the NCAA Championships.
The NCAA Indoor Championships will be held next Friday at Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.