Austin - Matthew Viverette and D. J. Hayes both advanced to the quarterfinals to highlight action for the Sam Houston State track and field team Thursday at the NCAA West Preliminary Championships hosted by the University of Texas at Austin.
Viverrette placed 19th in the first round of the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 51.58 seconds. In order to move on to the NCAA semifinals at the national championships in Des Moines, Viverrette must finish among the top 12 in the 400 hurdles quarterfinals Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Viverrette finished just 35 seconds behind the 12th fastest time in the first round.
Hayes finished 16th among the field in the 400 meter dash Thursday night. He ran a 46.85, just 0.56 off his best time this year. Hayes will compete in the quarterfinals Friday at 6 p.m.
Henry Jordan was 20th in the men's long jump and Charles White placed 37th. White jumped 23' 9" while Jordan posted a mark of 24' 7.25". The top 12 in the end advanced to the NCAA semifinals with the 12th place distance being 25' 2.75".
Jordan also competed in the 100 meter dash first round, placing 40th with a time of 10.58. Jarrick Wright was 47th with a 10.78 clocking.
The 4x400 meter relay is the Kats' highest ranked event going into the meet. But the team of Trey Jones, Brian Helaire, Jessie Martinez and Hayes, who rank twelfth with a season best time of 3:07.49, will not compete until Saturday.
Viverette came into Thursday's competition ranked in the top twenty in both of his events. (the 110 and 400 meter hurdles). Hayes was listed 15th coming into the 400 meter dash.
In each of the individual running events, the top three finishers in each of the six heats and the next nine fastest times will advance to the quarterfinal round. Only 12 competitors will advance from the quarterfinals to the NCAA Division I national semifinals in Des Moines, Iowa, beginning Wednesday, June 6.
In the relays, the top three times from each of the three heats and the next three fastest teams will advance to Des Moines. The top 12 finishers in each of the field event quarterfinals take the trip to Iowa.
Results and schedule for the Bearkats in Austin this weekend
Thursday:
Men Long Jump Quarterfinals
Henry Jordan 20th 24' 7.25"
Charles White 37th 23' 9"
Men 400 Meter Hurdles Prelims
Matthew Viverette 19th 51.58
Men Shot Put Quarterfinals
Preston Sanders
Men 100 Meter Dash Prelims
Henry Jordan 40th 10:58
Jarrick Wright 47th 10.78
Men 400 Meter Dash Prelims - 7:20 p.m.
Darryl Hayes 16th 46.85
Friday:
Men Hammer Throw Prelims - 2 p.m.
41 Trevor Sealy 58.71m
Men 110 Meter Hurdles Prelims - 5 p.m.
17 Matthew Viverette 13.93
Men Triple Jump Prelims - 6 p.m.
25 Charles White 15.50m
29 Karique Stephen 15.37m
Men 400 Meter Quarterfinals - 6 p.m.
Men 400 Meter Hurdles Quarterfinals- 7:30 p.m.
Men 200 Meter Dash Prelims - 8 p.m.
41 Jarrick Wright 21.23
Saturday:
Men Pole Vault Prelims - 1 p.m.
25 Ryan Oakes 5.25m
Men 4x100 Meter Relay Prelims - 6 p.m.
23 Sam Houston St. 40.29
Men 110 Meter Hurdles Quarterfinals - 7 p.m.
Men 200 Meter Dash Quarterfinals - 7:35 p.m.
Men 4x400 Meter Relay Prelims - 9:25 p.m.
12 Sam Houston St. 3:07.49
