LEXINGTON, Kentucky—Senior Shaniya Holley and sophomore Megan Hague saved their best for last as both qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday with the last throw in each of their events. Holley earned her second trip to NCAAs in the javelin throw, while Hague punched her first ticket advancing in the shot put during the second day of the NCAA East Preliminaries at the University of Kentucky.
Auburn also had five athletes on the track advance from the round of 48 to the round of 32 on Saturday including Vimbayi Maisvorewa and Deborah Oke in the 400m, Abasiono Akpan and Lalah Hasbrouck in the 400m and Chante Clinkscale in the 200m.
Holley was in 21st place after two throws, nine places shy of a NCAA berth, but the Auburn native came through in the clutch with a toss over four meters better her best of the day, throwing 49.30m/161-9 to leapfrog into 11th spot to make her first trip to NCAA Outdoors since 2022.
"It's a blessing. Last year I didn't make it, so I had a reason and purpose to come back. I'm just glad I was able to do it," Holley said. "Basically, I reminded myself of last year (before the last throw). I knew what I had to do. I didn't want to let all my sacrifices and training go to waste."
In a deeper deficit than Holley, Hague fouled on her first two attempts in the shot put before posting a lifetime best heave of 16.65m/55-2.75. A Niceville, Florida native, Hague finished 10th overall to become Auburn's first national's qualifier in the event since Tori McKinley in 2018.
"It's definitely a new feeling and it feels really good," Hague said. "I was nervous going in. The first two throws I fouled and before the last throw I told myself to calm down, relax and do what I know to do. It happened and now I'm going to nationals."
An indoor all-America performer earlier this season in the 400m, Maisvorewa ran a lifetime best 51.82, the fastest quarter mile by an Auburn athlete in 13 years to win her heat to earn an automatic qualifier spot for Saturday. Oke meanwhile ran a strong final 150m to run 52.65 and earn an at-large qualifier in the quarterfinals round crossing in 52.65. The freshman's time was a personal best and broke Joanna Aktins' freshman school record of 52.94 set in 2008.
Akpan was third in her heat in 57.49 to receive an automatic berth in the 400m hurdles quarterfinals, while Hasbrouck ran a lifetime best 57.90 and was part of a group of six that also qualified on time.
Clinkscale ran a fantastic 200m race besting her previous PR by three-tenths of a second with a time of 23.12 to finish 13th overall in the event. The junior will look to improve her placing on Saturday as she will vie to be one of the top 12 to earn a spot at nationals.
Day three of the NCAA East Preliminaries start at 10 a.m. ET with the women's pole vault, which was postponed Wednesday due to inclement weather early in the morning. Auburn will have Alyssa Quinones-Mixson and Riannon Held competing in the pole vault before the Tiger men take to the track at 5 p.m. ET with the men's 4x100m relay. Auburn will also have five individuals vying to advance to Eugune including sprinters Kanyinsola Ajayi (100m), Favour Ashe (100m), Makanakaishe Charamba (200m), Ryan Kinnane (5000m) and Ja'Kobe Tharpe (110m Hurdles).
NCAA East Preliminaries – Day 2 Results
Kentucky Track & Field Complex – Lexington, Kentucky
May 23, 2024
Women's Javelin Throw
11. Shaniya Holley 49.30m/161-9
** NCAA QUALIFIER **
Women's Long Jump
17. Amy Warren 6.13m/20-1.5 (PR)
45. Shonedra Richardson 5.44m/17-10.25
Women's 400m
6. Vimbayi Maisvorewa (Q) 51.82 (PR)
13. Deborah Oke (q) 52.65 (PR)
Women's 100m Hurdles
42. Danae Nembhard 18.20
Women's Shot Put
10. Megan Hague 16.65m/55-2.75 (PR)
** NCAA QUALIFIER **
Marley Raikiwasa FOUL
Women's 100m
34. Chante Clinkscale 11.54 (w)
Women's 400m Hurdles
20. Abasiono Akpan (Q) 57.49
23. Lalah Hasbrouck (q) 57.90 (PR)
44. Zuriel Reed 1:00.53
Women's 200m
13. Chante Clinkscale (Q) 23.12 (PR)
