Washington State University Athletics
Cougs continue NCAA West Preliminary, Willems and Fletcher notch qualifying times
May 25, 2023 | Track & Field
Day 2 Results (PDF)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Elena Willems (800m, 2:06.67) and Mackenzie Fletcher (400m hurdles, 59.00) each placed fourth in their respective heats but earned qualifying times into this weekend's quarterfinal rounds as Washington State women's track and field resumed the NCAA West Preliminary competition Thursday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Elena Willems (800m, 2:06.67) and Mackenzie Fletcher (400m hurdles, 59.00) each placed fourth in their respective heats but earned qualifying times into this weekend's quarterfinal rounds as Washington State women's track and field resumed the NCAA West Preliminary competition Thursday.
Making her NCAA West Preliminary debut, Cristina Molteni closed out the night in the women's 10,000m run with personal-best 33:33.92 to place 27th overall while moving from third into second all-time at WSU.
Willems led the majority of the opening 400 meters and closed strong, crossing the shaded finish line at Hornet Stadium in fourth at 2:06.67. The fourth-place finish left Willems just one place outside of an automatic qualifying bid into the next round but was enough for the fourth-falsest time qualifier into Saturday's quarterfinal round.
𝗡𝗖𝗔𝗔 𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗗 | 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡'𝗦 𝟴𝟬𝟬𝗠 𝗥𝗨𝗡
— Washington State XC/TF (@WSUCougarXCTF) May 26, 2023
A clutch final 200 meters and Elena Willems is moving on to Saturday!
⏱️ 2:06.67, (4th in heat 2)#GoCougs | #WAZZU | #NCAAtf pic.twitter.com/pyFJif4zas
Running in one of the fastest heats of the night to lead off the 400m hurdles, Fletcher clocked a PR for the second meet in a row with a time of 59.00 to finish fourth in the first heat. Like her teammate, Fletcher was forced to await the remainder of the first-round heats but ultimately earned a spot in the next round as the second-best time qualifier.
Neema Kimtai was also just one place outside of an automatic qualifying spot in the women's 1,500m, finishing in 4:22.38, her second-fastest time of the season, for a sixth-place finish in the fourth heat.
Up Next:
Day three of the NCAA West Preliminary for the Cougars will resume at 1 p.m. as Ronald Grueso Mosquera makes his championships debut in the men's discus. Kelvin Limo and Sam Griffith will be first on the track for the Cougs in the steeplechase quarterfinals at 5:45 p.m.
Louie Hinchliffe (100m dash) and Jared McAlvey (400m hurdles) each take their shot at a spot in Austin after strong first round finishes on day one. The 100m and 400m hurdles quarterfinals are slated for Friday at 6:35 p.m. and 7:25 p.m., respectively, with the top three from each heat and the next three fastest times earning a trip to nationals.
Zach Stallings will close night three for WSU as he makes his second appearance of the week in the men's 5,000m run Friday night at 8:10 p.m.
For all the latest WSU Track and Field news, photos, and videos, like the team on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wsucougartrack) or follow on Twitter (@ WSUCougarXCTF) and Instagram (@WSUCougarXCTF).
NCAA West First Round – Day 2 WSU Results
800m
400m Hurdles
- Micaela De Mello: DQ [missed hurdle]
NCAA West First Round – Day 1 (Wednesday) WSU Results
Javelin
Shot Put
- Ronald Grueso Mosquera: 18.29m/ 60' 0.25", 23rd overall (10th in flight 3)
1,500m Run
100m Dash
400m Hurdles
- Jared McAlvey: 51.07, 18th overall (2nd in heat 3) [Qualifies for Friday's QF at 7:25 p.m.]
200m Dash
Players Mentioned
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