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Simpson-Sullivan, Van der Westhuizen Clinch Spots at NCAA Championships
5/23/2024 8:15:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
FAYETTEVILLE – The Rice women's track and field team had a great showing in the team's opening day of preliminary action, with two qualifying for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, while another advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday in the running events.
The day opened with Tara Simpson-Sullivan's 8th-place finish in the hammer throw, advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the fourth consecutive season. This also marks her seventh trip to the NCAA Championships overall.
Mckyla Van der Westhuizen continued the strong start for the Owls, finishing fourth in the javelin to also secure her spot in the NCAA Championships, qualifying for the meet in back-to-back seasons.
Taigen Hunter-Galvan advanced to the quarterfinals of the 800m on Saturday, finishing second in her heat to automatically qualify for the next round. Out of the 24 qualifiers for Saturday, 12 will advance to Eugene.
Other running events saw Eliza Kraule finishing 38th in the 100m hurdles. She will also compete on Saturday in the high jump. Kraule has already punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships in the heptathlon. Kennedy Gamble closed her season by finishing 40th in the 100m.
Day One Reaction - Head Coach Jim Bevan
"Overall, a very good day! Started with Tara qualifying for her fourth consecutive final round of the NCAA's, a testament to her consistency. Mckyla qualified on her very first throw to make it to her second final round of nationals. Eliza Kraule, who has already qualified for the final round of nationals in the heptathlon, ran her second-fastest time ever in the sprint hurdles, staying sharp for Eugene. Taigen Hunter-Galvan did a great job in a tactical race of qualifying automatically out of her heat in a negative split race and will race again on Saturday. Kennedy Gamble closed her career at Rice with her effort in the 100m. Kennedy has been a tremendous team leader and mentor to our younger runners and closes as one of the best sprinters in Rice history. She is a tremendous person and will be greatly missed. Saturday, we will have six athletes back on the track competing to advance to the next round."
RESULTS
100m Hurdles
38. Eliza Kraule – 13.67s
100m
40. Kennedy Gamble – 11.47s
800m
24. Taigen Hunter-Galvan – 2:07.47 – advances to Saturday's finals
Hammer Throw
8. Tara Simpson-Sullivan – 62.65m (205-06) – advances
Javelin
4. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 55.55m (182-03) – advances
UP NEXT
The women's competition of the NCAA West Prelims will resume on Saturday.
The day opened with Tara Simpson-Sullivan's 8th-place finish in the hammer throw, advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the fourth consecutive season. This also marks her seventh trip to the NCAA Championships overall.
Mckyla Van der Westhuizen continued the strong start for the Owls, finishing fourth in the javelin to also secure her spot in the NCAA Championships, qualifying for the meet in back-to-back seasons.
Taigen Hunter-Galvan advanced to the quarterfinals of the 800m on Saturday, finishing second in her heat to automatically qualify for the next round. Out of the 24 qualifiers for Saturday, 12 will advance to Eugene.
Other running events saw Eliza Kraule finishing 38th in the 100m hurdles. She will also compete on Saturday in the high jump. Kraule has already punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships in the heptathlon. Kennedy Gamble closed her season by finishing 40th in the 100m.
"Overall, a very good day! Started with Tara qualifying for her fourth consecutive final round of the NCAA's, a testament to her consistency. Mckyla qualified on her very first throw to make it to her second final round of nationals. Eliza Kraule, who has already qualified for the final round of nationals in the heptathlon, ran her second-fastest time ever in the sprint hurdles, staying sharp for Eugene. Taigen Hunter-Galvan did a great job in a tactical race of qualifying automatically out of her heat in a negative split race and will race again on Saturday. Kennedy Gamble closed her career at Rice with her effort in the 100m. Kennedy has been a tremendous team leader and mentor to our younger runners and closes as one of the best sprinters in Rice history. She is a tremendous person and will be greatly missed. Saturday, we will have six athletes back on the track competing to advance to the next round."
100m Hurdles
38. Eliza Kraule – 13.67s
100m
40. Kennedy Gamble – 11.47s
800m
24. Taigen Hunter-Galvan – 2:07.47 – advances to Saturday's finals
Hammer Throw
8. Tara Simpson-Sullivan – 62.65m (205-06) – advances
Javelin
4. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 55.55m (182-03) – advances
The women's competition of the NCAA West Prelims will resume on Saturday.
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Throws
/ Women's Track & Field
Javelin
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