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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
NCAA East Regional
Four Rebels Qualify For NCAA Championships On Thursday
5/27/2011 | Track and Field
May 27, 2011
NCAA East Preliminary Round Central |
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Four Rebels advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with strong performances on the first day of the East Preliminary Round Thursday from the E.C. Billy Hayes Track on the campus of Indiana University.
Ricky Robertson qualified in the men's high jump, Caleb Lee in the men's long jump, Neal Tisher in the women's pole vault and Juliana Smith in the women's hammer throw.
The top 12 finishers in each event at the East preliminary advance to the national semifinal and final rounds of the NCAA Championships to be held at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 8-11.
"We had a positive day under bad weather conditions," head coach Joe Walker said. "I was very proud of how we competed today."
Robertson tied with seven other jumpers for first place in the event at 7-01.50. After the top 12 finishers were determined, the event was halted and the bar was no longer raised any higher. He ranks second in the nation with a season-best (and school-record) height of 7-06.00.
Robertson qualifies for his fourth straight NCAA Championships. The sophomore has earned All-America honors in the high jump in his two previous indoor and one previous outdoor appearance, including runner-up indoor finishes last year and this year. He is a four-time SEC champion in the event.
Lee, a junior, qualified in the long jump for the third time (also 2010 outdoor and 2011 indoor) with an eighth-place performance Thursday. He jumped 24-11.25. He was an indoor All-American earlier this year.
Tisher qualified in the pole vault by finishing ninth with a height of 12-07.50. She also qualified for the NCAA Championships as a freshman last year.
Smith threw 197-1 to finish sixth in the hammer throw and advance to Des Moines. The senior also made the NCAA indoors this year and earned All-America status.
Several more Rebels advanced to quarterfinal rounds in their sprinting events on Thursday.
In the men's 100 meters, senior Jonathan Juin (10.33) and sophomore Mike Granger (10.45) both won their heats to advance to Friday's quarterfinal. The top 24 finishers in the prelims advanced to the quarterfinals.
Three Rebels qualified for the quarterfinals of the men's 400 meter hurdles. Senior Lee Ellis Moore (51.32) and junior Carson Blanks (51.77) both won their heats, while sophomore Ras-Len Bully (52.54) also advanced by finishing among the top 24 on Thursday.
Senior Sofie Persson advanced to Friday in the women's 400 meter hurdles by clocking a time of 58.20 to finish second in her heat.
AGATE
MEN
100 Meter Prelims
Jonathan Juin - 10.33q
Mike Granger - 10.45q
400 Meter Prelims
Dante Oliver - 48.58
400 Meter Hurdle Prelims
Lee Ellis Moore - 51.32q
Carson Blanks - 51.77q
Ras-Len Bully - 52.54q
High Jump Prelims
T1. Ricky Robertson - 7-01.50q
Long Jump Prelims
8. Caleb Lee - 24-11.25q
Javelin Prelims
30. Benjamin Lapane - 197-0
WOMEN
100 Meter Prelims
Jasmine Williams - 11.88
400 Meter Prelims
Kristin Bridges - 55.41
Lauren Hollingsworth - 57.53
400 Meter Hurdle Prelims
Sofie Persson - 58.20q
Sofia Hellberg-Jonsen - 1:00.41
Long Jump Prelims
33. Brittany Bozeman - 18-09.75
Pole Vault Prelims
9. Neal Tisher - 12-07.50q
Hammer Throw Prelims
6. Juliana Smith - 197-1q
