Texas Tech University Athletics
Two Events Advance to Finals on Day One
June 07, 2017 | Track and Field
Day one produces one Second Team All-American and two final qualifying races.
EUGENE, Oregon – The Texas Tech men began competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships this evening in five events, advancing two to the finals on Friday.
Benard Keter kicked off the night in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, where he paced an 8:43.49 run to steal the No. 1 finish in the first of two heats. This time served as an automatic qualifier for Friday's final round at 5:54 p.m. PT.
"Benard looked great," Head Coach Wes Kittley said. "His race today was 10-seconds slower than what he ran this day last year, so hopefully he saved a lot of energy for Friday's race."
The men's 4x400 relay wrapped up day one with their No. 10 all time record run of 3:03.54. This mile-relay, composed of Kyle Collins, Steven Champlin, C.J. Jones and Vincent Crisp, put together a No. 3 time in their heat, yet finished No. 4 overall to qualify based on time. The relay finals will serve as the last event on Friday at 7:51 p.m. PT.
"I was so pleased with the mile-relay. Steven and C.J. both ran great splits, and Vincent too. Now we just have to put together a great run in the finals."
Justin Hall ended his freshman year run with Second Team All-American honors in the men's long jump. Hall had a best leap of 7.48m/24-6.50 to finish 12th overall.
Werner Bouwer garnered honorable mention honors in his nationals debut, finishing 17th overall in the men's javelin at a distance of 67.60m/221-9.
 "This was a great experience for the freshmen. I'm really proud that they got here, now they just have to get to where they can really compete."
Tomorrow's competition will start with Zuliat Alli and Viershanie Latham in the women's long jump at 6 p.m. PT, followed by Jocelyn Caro in the women's 10,000-meter race and the women's 4x400 relay.
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Benard Keter kicked off the night in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, where he paced an 8:43.49 run to steal the No. 1 finish in the first of two heats. This time served as an automatic qualifier for Friday's final round at 5:54 p.m. PT.
"Benard looked great," Head Coach Wes Kittley said. "His race today was 10-seconds slower than what he ran this day last year, so hopefully he saved a lot of energy for Friday's race."
The men's 4x400 relay wrapped up day one with their No. 10 all time record run of 3:03.54. This mile-relay, composed of Kyle Collins, Steven Champlin, C.J. Jones and Vincent Crisp, put together a No. 3 time in their heat, yet finished No. 4 overall to qualify based on time. The relay finals will serve as the last event on Friday at 7:51 p.m. PT.
"I was so pleased with the mile-relay. Steven and C.J. both ran great splits, and Vincent too. Now we just have to put together a great run in the finals."
Justin Hall ended his freshman year run with Second Team All-American honors in the men's long jump. Hall had a best leap of 7.48m/24-6.50 to finish 12th overall.
Werner Bouwer garnered honorable mention honors in his nationals debut, finishing 17th overall in the men's javelin at a distance of 67.60m/221-9.
 "This was a great experience for the freshmen. I'm really proud that they got here, now they just have to get to where they can really compete."
Tomorrow's competition will start with Zuliat Alli and Viershanie Latham in the women's long jump at 6 p.m. PT, followed by Jocelyn Caro in the women's 10,000-meter race and the women's 4x400 relay.
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Players Mentioned
Jumps
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Javelin
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Distance
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Sprints
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Sprints
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Middle Distance
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Jumps
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Middle Distance
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Distance
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Jumps
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