Michigan State University Athletics
Friday, May 24
Jacksonville, Fla.
Michigan State University
at
NCAA First Round
Evans and Smith Punch Their Tickets to the NCAA Finals
5/24/2019 10:56:00 PM | Track and Field
The Spartan will have nine in action on Saturday
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Junior Karrigan Smith and sophomore Jerimiah Evans both punched their tickets to the NCAA Finals Friday at the NCAA East Preliminary at Hodges Stadium. Smith advanced in the 3,000m women's steeplechase, while Evans moved on in the men's discus.
Track Events
Smith became the first Spartan runner to reach the NCAA Finals qualifying on time in the 3,000m steeplechase. Running in the second of three heats, Smith had a personal best with a time of 10:08.24, which was the best time that wasn't an automatic qualifier.
"She has made tremendous progress, and she has matured immensely as an athlete. She trusted her race plan, and I was really proud of her. When the first three pull away, it is really easy to get discouraged because those are the automatics. She just kept running which is critical, because she made it in on time," MSU Director of Track & Field Walt Drenth said.
Senior WIll Agodu reached the quarterfinals in the ultra-competitive 110m hurdles. Much like Smith, Agodu was the top qualifier on time, clocking in with a time of 13.84. He was just shy of his MSU record time of 13.75 that captured him the Big Ten Championship earlier this season.
Field Events
Evans will make his first appearance in the NCAA Finals in the men's discus. In his second attempt, he moved into the top 10 with a heave of 58.04m, which was his second-best throw of the season. He broke the school record with a throw of 61.22m at the Jesse Owens Classic.
"Jerimiah looked good in warmups. We knew what the marks were going in that he was going to need to throw; Track & Field is pretty objective. He has shown great maturity after coming here and not making to the finals. I really expect him to do really well at the NCAA Finals too," Drenth said.
Evans is fresh off his second-place finish at the Big Ten Championship.
"It is humbling, and it is a blessing to advance to Austin. I just stuck to the script and listened to coach, and did what I had to do," Evans said.
Sophomore Sophia Franklin, competing in her second-straight NCAA East Prelims, finished tied for 18th in the women's pole vault. On her first attempt, she easily cleared 3.92m. Franklin was unable to clear 4.07m in her next three attempts.
The Spartans will conclude action at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Saturday, May 25. Michigan State will have nine athletes in action on the final day. Juniors Dillon McClintock and Annie Fuller will start the day for MSU in the quarterfinals of the women's 1,500m.
👀 Coach Drenth recaps a busy day 2️⃣ at the NCAA East Prelims! The Spartans have nine in action Saturday!! pic.twitter.com/dKgUVl2Vys
— MSU Track & Field/XC (@MSUTrackFieldXC) May 25, 2019
Track Events
Smith became the first Spartan runner to reach the NCAA Finals qualifying on time in the 3,000m steeplechase. Running in the second of three heats, Smith had a personal best with a time of 10:08.24, which was the best time that wasn't an automatic qualifier.
"She has made tremendous progress, and she has matured immensely as an athlete. She trusted her race plan, and I was really proud of her. When the first three pull away, it is really easy to get discouraged because those are the automatics. She just kept running which is critical, because she made it in on time," MSU Director of Track & Field Walt Drenth said.
Senior WIll Agodu reached the quarterfinals in the ultra-competitive 110m hurdles. Much like Smith, Agodu was the top qualifier on time, clocking in with a time of 13.84. He was just shy of his MSU record time of 13.75 that captured him the Big Ten Championship earlier this season.
Field Events
Evans will make his first appearance in the NCAA Finals in the men's discus. In his second attempt, he moved into the top 10 with a heave of 58.04m, which was his second-best throw of the season. He broke the school record with a throw of 61.22m at the Jesse Owens Classic.
"Jerimiah looked good in warmups. We knew what the marks were going in that he was going to need to throw; Track & Field is pretty objective. He has shown great maturity after coming here and not making to the finals. I really expect him to do really well at the NCAA Finals too," Drenth said.
Evans is fresh off his second-place finish at the Big Ten Championship.
"It is humbling, and it is a blessing to advance to Austin. I just stuck to the script and listened to coach, and did what I had to do," Evans said.
Sophomore Sophia Franklin, competing in her second-straight NCAA East Prelims, finished tied for 18th in the women's pole vault. On her first attempt, she easily cleared 3.92m. Franklin was unable to clear 4.07m in her next three attempts.
The Spartans will conclude action at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Saturday, May 25. Michigan State will have nine athletes in action on the final day. Juniors Dillon McClintock and Annie Fuller will start the day for MSU in the quarterfinals of the women's 1,500m.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Track and Field
Hurdles/Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
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