cal athletics
Mykolas Alekna set up a new facility and hit a record on the puck in the NCAA West Preliminary.
Alekna, MacQuiddy heading to NCAA Outdoor Championships
SACRAMENT- The California Athletics qualified two other athletes for the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Friday, bringing their total to 10 after three days of competition in the NCAA West preliminaries.
Starting the day was none other than the sophomore star Alekna Mykolas, who entered the competition as the co-owner of the West Preliminary disc record. The reigning world leader and college record holder began his series with a throw of 66.34m (217-8) to reset that competition record and take the lead for good before improving his final throw to 67.75m (222 -3). which also set a new facility record at Hornet Stadium. With a job well done in the qualifying round, Alekna will now focus on winning her first NCAA title, which missed her by just an inch in her freshman campaign.
Alekna’s win came another junior qualifying performance garrett macquiddy. Cal’s top 1500 m runner had made it to the second round of competition in each of the regional preliminaries of the previous two years, but had yet to move further toward the NCAA Championship. This time, however, he had no intention of missing it, eventually earning his first career NCAA ticket with a time of 3:50.08.
MacQuiddy, who at times found himself boxed in by other runners but nevertheless put in a gutsy performance to secure the final qualifying spot in his heat, was all smiles after the race. “I’m tired,” he said between laughs. “I’m looking forward to the flight to Austin with the rest of the crew. We have a huge group going so far so I’m really happy with that. Overall I’m looking forward to the reunion, I haven’t been there before and I don’t know the environment, but I really want to live the experience”.
Senior jai williams also competed for Cal in the high jump after reaching the NCAA West Preliminary for the second year in a row, reaching a peak height of 2.04m (6-8.25), while the 4x400m relay team of Will Sornberger, joseph keller, aiden lippert and henry larkin they combined for a time of 3:08.26 in the first time the foursome had run together as a group.
Second Day Results (Men)
Disk: 1. Alekna Mykolas 67.75 m/222-3 (Record of facilities) (Record of meetings)
High jump: T31. jai williams 2.04m/6-8.25
1500m: 17 garrett macquiddy 3:50.08 (Q)
4x400m: California (Will Sornberger, joseph keller, aiden lippert, henry larkin) 3:08.26
UNTIL NEXT TIME
The Cal women will close out the NCAA West Preliminary tomorrow, starting with the women’s high jump at 2:30 p.m.
STAY POSTED
For complete coverage of Cal athletics, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalTFXC), Instagram (@caltfxc) and Facebook (@Cal Cross Country/Track and Field).
