May 28, 2016
Event: NCAA East Regionals
Day, Date: Thursday-Saturday, May 26-28
Host: University of North Florida
Site: Hodges Stadium (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Event-by-Event Results: HERE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Simone Charley is headed to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the third consecutive year. And this time, she’ll have some company on the trip.
Senior Katherine Delaney will be joining Charley in Eugene, Ore., for the national meet after they each turned in impressive performances Saturday at the NCAA East prelims in Jacksonville, Fla.
Charley, a First Team Outdoor All-American last season, finished sixth in the triple jump and Delaney finished sixth in the 1500 meters to punch their tickets to nationals. Together, they helped produce a historic day for the Commodores, who will be sending multiple individuals to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the first time since 2004.
“Our program is making some positive steps, and today was another one,” said head coach Steve Keith. “We’re certainly proud of Simone and Kat — and for the program as a whole.”
The first person to advance was Delaney, who was in the first heat of the 1500 meter quarterfinals with Sara Barron. The duo was aiming to advance to the NCAA Championships by finishing in the top five of their heat or having one of the two next best times out of both heats.
Delaney remained in the top five throughout the first three laps and was third heading into the final 400 meters as the front of the pack maintained a torrid pace. With about 200 meters to go, Delaney dropped to sixth place, where she would finish despite setting a new lifetime best with a time of 4:17.96. It ranks as the No. 2 mark on Vanderbilt’s all-time performer’s list.
Sitting in sixth place in her heat, all Delaney could do was sit and wait for the final heat. As the leaders from the second heat hit the 100-meter mark, it was evident that Delaney’s time was going to hold up. In fact, her time was better than everyone in the second heat.
Upon seeing that she had punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships for the first time in her career, Delaney was overcome by emotion as she watched the final heat from the bleachers near the finish line with Barron and associate head coach Rhonda Riley. She was soon surrounded by her teammates and staff.
“Coming into the meet, we felt like she a chance to make it (to nationals),” said Keith. “She’s put in the work. And for her to have a lifetime PR today was great. We are really proud of her and all the seniors. They’ve been a very special group and they’ve all made a great impact on our program.”
After the 1500 meters, Charley began her quest for securing a third straight trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the triple jump. The junior from Hoover, Ala., cemented her spot at the NCAA Championships by jumping 13.48 meters (44-02.75) on her first of three attempts. The mark was plenty to secure her spot as she finished sixth overall. The top 12 advanced to Eugene, Oregon.
“The triple jump is a dance, and Simone knows how it works, especially when it’s the big show like today,” said Keith. “She was going against a great field today, with the East being really, really strong in the triple. The qualifying mark in the East was more than a foot longer than the West (meet). So, it was another great accomplishment for Simone.”
To conclude the night and the NCAA Prelims for the Commodores, Vanessa Valentine and Carmen Carlos took the track in the 5000 meters. With two heats of 24 runners each, just the top five in each heat, plus the next two best times advanced to the NCAA Championships.
Valentine got things started in the first heat by posting a time of 16:57.05 to finish 29th. Running in the second heat, Carlos finished 43rd with a time of 17:47.91.
The NCAA Championships will be held June 8-11 in Eugene, Oregon. Charley will compete on Saturday, June 11. The semifinals of the 1500 meters will be held on Thursday, June 9.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS (Vanderbilt)
1500
6. Katherine Delaney 4:17.96
20. Sara Barron 4:26.00
5k
29. Vanessa Valentine 16:57.05
43. Carmen Carlos 17:47.91
Triple Jump
6. Simone Charley – 44-02.75 (13.48)
FRIDAY’S RESULTS (Vanderbilt)
Pole vault
14. Sarah Bell 4.20m (13-9¼ )
800 quarterfinals
Courtney Clayton DNF
THURSDAY’S RESULTS (Vanderbilt)
400 Hurdles
37. Skyler Carpenter 1:00.01
1500
20. Sara Barron 4:23.04
22. Katherine Delaney 4:23.33
400
32. Jennifer Edobi 53.66
800
14. Courtney Clayton 2:06.14
This is what it’s all about!! Teammate support! #ncaaeast pic.twitter.com/7zS2vg3eow
— Vanderbilt XC/TF (@vandyxctrack) May 28, 2016
Such a sweet moment when you see all the hard work pay off!! Kat Delaney is heading to Eugene!! #ncaatf #east pic.twitter.com/BvWxgteS7i
— Vanderbilt XC/TF (@vandyxctrack) May 28, 2016
Simone Charley starts the evening off with a solid jump of 44-2.25 placing her 4th on her first attempt #triple jump pic.twitter.com/R8uIScmlRr
— Vanderbilt XC/TF (@vandyxctrack) May 28, 2016
@SimoneCharley does it again for her 3rd straight trip to the NCAA championship #congratschuck pic.twitter.com/XCK5JQIbaT
— Vanderbilt XC/TF (@vandyxctrack) May 29, 2016
Going to Eugene!!!! #NCAA #oregonbound pic.twitter.com/JQ5aitXJbC
— Vanderbilt XC/TF (@vandyxctrack) May 28, 2016
