EUGENE, Ore.—The Arizona State track and field teams opened the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Wednesday at Hayward Field with the men’s semifinals.
Redshirt senior Bryan McBride led the Sun Devils, earning Second Team All-America honors in the long jump. He finished 16th with a jump of 7.51m (24-7.75). On Friday, he will look to defend his title in the high jump, which is slated for a 4 p.m. PT start.
“In the evening session, Bryan McBride was short of the board, really on all three of his long jump attempts,” Director of Track and Field Greg Kraft said. “We were hoping he’d score for us in the long jump, but it didn’t happen. We’ll take tomorrow and regroup, and then he has a big day on Friday in the high jump.”
Also in the field, redshirt senior Kyle Lillie surpassed the 61-meter mark for the third time this season, throwing 61.13m (200-06) in the hammer throw finals, finishing 23rd overall.
“We got started with Kyle Lillie, who had some really solid competition today,” Kraft said. “He wasn’t able to duplicate the performance he had at the regional meet, but this is still a great way for him to cap off his career after three years with us, starting off as a walk-on and ending at the NCAA Championships. We couldn’t be prouder of him.”
In just his fifth 400m race of the season, redshirt senior Devan Spann finished in 24th in the semifinals with a time of 47.87, while senior Cameron Taylor ran 14.44 in the semifinals of the 110m hurdles, also finishing 24th overall.
“As you look at the track, it was a humbling day,” Kraft said. “One of the things that happens sometimes, when you’re at this meet, you get the random draw for your lane. Cameron Taylor was in lane eight for his 110m hurdles race, and Devan Spann was in lane one in his 400m dash race. Having those tough draws can affect your race, especially when you’re trying to qualify. Cam was frustrated with his performance, it really wasn’t indicative of the work he’s put into this event in his career. Devan’s tough draw made it difficult for him in his heat, and it’s a tough way to end a career like that. We still couldn’t be more proud of the way they both competed today, and they’ll definitely be missed.”
Competition at the NCAA Championships continues in Thursday with the women’s semifinals. ASU’s first event of the day will be the 4x100m relay semifinals at 4 p.m. PT.
“Tomorrow we move on to the women’s semifinals,” Kraft said. “Obviously Shelby Houlihan is a strong favorite to advance to the finals in the 1500m, and we’re really counting on her to do that. Brianna Tate will have a big day in the relays and the 400m, and we’re looking for Magdalyn Ewen to get some solid experience in the shot put. The one thing everyone knows when it comes to this championship meet, is that it’s not about what you’ve done before, but what you do here and now.”
Arizona State Results
Men’s 400m Dash Semifinals
24. Devan Spann – 47.87
Men’s 110m Hurdles Semifinals
24. Cameron Taylor – 14.44
Men’s Long Jump Finals
16. Bryan McBride – 7.51m (24-7.75)
Men’s Hammer Finals
23. Kyle Lillie – 61.13m (200-06)