Texas Tech University Athletics
Saturday, July 27
Des Moines, Iowa
Texas Tech Athletics
at
USA National Championships
Grimes Breaks Own School Record in Hurdles Final
July 27, 2019 | Track and Field
National runner-up turns in career-best in final of quarter-hurdles.
DES MOINES, Iowa – Texas Tech hurdler Norman Grimes Jr. turned in the best performance of his career – and program history – Saturday to put himself in position to potentially earn himself a spot on Team USA for the World Championships this fall.
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After grinding through two rounds of the 400m hurdles over the past two days, Grimes ran a PR 48.68 to place fourth in a stacked final. After going 50.20 in Thursday's first round race, he dropped sub-50 for the sixth time this season in the semi-final. His 48.68 Saturday was the second time the sophomore has gone sub-49 in his collegiate career. The other mark, his previous personal best, was a 48.71 that earned him the silver medal at June's NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"If you can come out and PR in July, that's huge," said assistant coach Calvin Robinson. "That's impressive after a long collegiate season."
Robinson also noted Grimes' impressive job handling three rounds in three days, saying, "He came here and handled each round like a veteran. He went a second faster every round."
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The other highlight on the track came via Andrew Hudson, who advanced in the 200m. The First Team All-American ran a 20.73 to get into the semi-final with an at-large bid. He will run the semi-final Sunday at 5 p.m.Â
"This meet is just about going out and beating people," Robinson said. "AJ got a tough lane assignment in lane one, but everybody has to run the same distance and he went out and earned a spot in the semis. Nobody will be messing around tomorrow. It'll be exciting."
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High jumper Zarriea Willis placed ninth. The defending NCAA Champion cleared 6'-0" (1.83m) as her top height. Â
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Two field competitors competed for the Red Raiders as well Saturday. Brandon Bray, who in June set the new school record in the pole vault after clearing 18'-8.25" (5.70m). In Des Moines, however, Bray recorded a no-height after going out at the opening height of 17'-11" (5.46m).
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After grinding through two rounds of the 400m hurdles over the past two days, Grimes ran a PR 48.68 to place fourth in a stacked final. After going 50.20 in Thursday's first round race, he dropped sub-50 for the sixth time this season in the semi-final. His 48.68 Saturday was the second time the sophomore has gone sub-49 in his collegiate career. The other mark, his previous personal best, was a 48.71 that earned him the silver medal at June's NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"If you can come out and PR in July, that's huge," said assistant coach Calvin Robinson. "That's impressive after a long collegiate season."
Robinson also noted Grimes' impressive job handling three rounds in three days, saying, "He came here and handled each round like a veteran. He went a second faster every round."
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Â?? Big PR for Norman! ??@normangrimesjr takes fourth in the final of the quarter hurdles! He goes for a career-best 48.68! ??
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) July 27, 2019
??#WreckEm??
The other highlight on the track came via Andrew Hudson, who advanced in the 200m. The First Team All-American ran a 20.73 to get into the semi-final with an at-large bid. He will run the semi-final Sunday at 5 p.m.Â
"This meet is just about going out and beating people," Robinson said. "AJ got a tough lane assignment in lane one, but everybody has to run the same distance and he went out and earned a spot in the semis. Nobody will be messing around tomorrow. It'll be exciting."
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AJ goes through in the 200! ??
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) July 27, 2019
A 20.73 gets @_imightsprint through to the semi-finals on time!
He'll go for a spot in the finals tomorrow at 5 p.m.!
??#WreckEm??
High jumper Zarriea Willis placed ninth. The defending NCAA Champion cleared 6'-0" (1.83m) as her top height. Â
Â
Two field competitors competed for the Red Raiders as well Saturday. Brandon Bray, who in June set the new school record in the pole vault after clearing 18'-8.25" (5.70m). In Des Moines, however, Bray recorded a no-height after going out at the opening height of 17'-11" (5.46m).
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Players Mentioned
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Jumps
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