T&F: Falda advances to NCAA Championships
5/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
AUSTIN, Texas â€" UTA freshman Helen Falda advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the pole vault to highlight the Mavericks' first day of action at the NCAA West Preliminary Round at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Falda advanced via a jump-off by clearing 4.15 meters for the 12th and final qualifying spot. During the regular competition the school record holder cleared a height of 4.20m (13-9 ¼). She will be the first UTA woman ever to participate in the pole vault at the NCAA Championships.
Craig Lautenslager took 13th in the men's 10,000 meters with a time of 30:11.26. The senior finished just over half a second out of the final qualifying spot. After seven laps, Lautenslager was in 48th place before making a huge push.
Also for the men, Erik Martinsson advanced to tomorrow's quarterfinal round in the men's 800m after a runner-up finish in his heat. His time of 1:52.23 was good for 37th place overall. The top 12 finishers on Saturday will move on to the NCAA Championships.
In the women's long jump, Chassity Love placed 23rd among the 48 competitors with a leap of 20-0 ¼. Teammate Thilda Saernvaaang took 43rd (18-5 ¼).
Three-time SBC outdoor champion Tamerah Gorham finished 43rd in her last college 800-meter race with a clocking of 2:12.69. Madison Pecot had the same placement in the women's pole vault after topping 12-5 ½ (3.80m).
Sophomore Garrett Moore completed his first appearance at the NCAA Prelims by posting a 53.92 in the 400m hurdles to take 42nd overall.
The Mavericks will continue with action at the NCAA West Preliminary Round on Friday. Live results and live video are available.
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