June 11, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Junior Steve Marcelle and senior Jerome Miller earned a spot in the finals of their respective events on day one of the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships Wednesday in Fayetteville, Ark.
Marcelle, who posted the fifth-best mark in the shot put prelims, advanced on his third and final throw of the day with a distance of 61’5.75″. The Green Bay, Wisc. native qualifies for his first-ever outdoor finals. Marcelle will compete in the discus prelims on Thursday at 2 p.m., before returning to the pit for the shot put finals at 7:15 p.m. tomorrow evening.
After more than a three-hour delay due to inclement weather in the Fayetteville area, Miller and the high jumpers headed out for competition at 11:30 p.m. It took just two jumps for the Stafford, Va. native to advance through the prelims with a clearance of 6’10.75″. Miller advances to the finals for the second time in his career. They will take place on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
Also taking flight in the shot put on the day was senior Andy Powlen, who placed 15th. Powlen came up just short of a bid to the finals as his mark of 59’9.25″ was two inches short of the final qualifiers distance. Powlen’s result was the second-best of his career, and his final in a Yellow Jacket uniform.
Earlier in the day, seniors Alana Clooten and Kimery Hern competed in the women’s hammer throw prelims but neither was able to advance to the finals. Sophomore Joanna Wright came up short the pole vault in her first-ever appearance at the championships.
Senior E.C. Gibbs will make his appearance in the men’s 1500-meter semifinal Thursday at 9:10 p.m.
Competition resumes at John McDonnell Field Thursday at 11:15 a.m.
