May 28, 2015
Event: NCAA EAST REGIONALSÂ
Day, Date: Thursday-Saturday, May 28-30
Host: University of North Florida (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Site: Hodges Stadium Track & Field facility
Stadium Capacity: 9,400
Meet Home Page: HEREÂ Â
Meet Schedule: HEREÂ
Entry Lists: HEREÂ Â
Live results: HERE
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Multiple members of the Vanderbilt track and field team took a giant first step toward national success Thursday.
Competing on the opening day of the NCAA East Regional meet in Jacksonville, Fla., a trio of Commodores — Faith Washington, Skyler Carpenter and Sara Barron — each qualified for the finals in their respective events by finishing among the top 24 spots. By doing so, they moved closer to locking down a berth in the upcoming NCAA Championships. (The top 12 finishers from each event advance to Eugene, Oregon). Vanderbilt had several additional impressive showings Friday during the eventful day, which included some tough luck for one Commodore and a frantic finish for another. Here’s a look at how the day unfolded:
MOVING ONÂ
Faith Washington and Skyler Carpenter got things rolling for the Commodores in the first event of the day by delivering outstanding performances in the 400-Hurdles and advancing to Friday’s race. Washington finished third with a personal-record time of 56.94 to set the second-best time on Vanderbilt’s all-time list. Carpenter also set a new personal record with a time of 58.50 while earning 17th place and setting the No. 4 time on VU’s all-time list.
“It was a fantastic showing for those two,” said Vanderbilt head coach Steve Keith. “If Faith can match that performance (on Friday), she’ll be going to Eugene. And Skyler’s got a great shot at it, too. They are both in good spots to get to the next level.”
DOWN TO THE WIRE
Sara Barron used a courageous finish to earn her spot in the quarterfinals in the 1500. After being boxed in for much of the race, Barron found a small opening and then surged to the finish line to post a time of 4:25.25 (25th) and qualify for Saturday’s race.
“It was a little stressful, but Sara did a great job of staying patient,” said Keith. “She started on the inside, and couldn’t get off the rail. But fortunately for her, when she got her window of opportunity, and she took advantage of it. She saw that small opening, made her move and then passed about five people. She ran the last lap in 64 seconds, which was what she needed to do.”
BAD LUCK
After being knocked down by another runner early in the race, Vanderbilt standout Courtney Clayton literally fell out of contention in the 800. Although she was able to get back on her feet and finish the race, Clayton couldn’t catch up to the pack, finishing at 2:13.10. Vanderbilt filed a protest, but officials denied the appeal. It was a disappointing development for Clayton, who broke her own school record two weeks ago in the prelims at the SEC Championship with a time of 2:06.62. (The cutline on Friday was 2:06.80). Â
“It’s an unfortunate part of the sport,” said Keith. “The officials felt like they didn’t see enough evidence (in the replay) for us to win the appeal. But that’s the way it goes sometimes; you just have to live and learn. The bright side is that she will have fresh legs for the (4×400) later this week, and we are going to need fresh legs in that one.”
HOLDING HER OWN
Vanderbilt’s Sarah Bell finished tied for 17th in the pole vault, clearing 13-4.50. Bell, who missed most of the indoor season with an ankle injury, is the school record holder in the event.
“This was a good experience for her, and she was right on the edge (of advancing),” said Keith. “She had some clean jumps early and we know she is right there.”
WHAT’S AHEAD FOR VU:
FRIDAY
7:30 pm 400-Hurdles Quarterfinals — Faith Washington, Skyler Carpenter
8:50 pm Steeplechase — Rebecca Chandler
SATURDAY
4 pm Triple Jump — Simone Charley
6 pm High Jump — Ellie Tidman
6:30 pm 1500 Quarterfinals — Sara Barron
9:25 pm 4×400 — Faith Washington, Skyler Carpenter, Courtney Clayton, Erin Edmond
