AUSTIN, Texas—Arizona State track and field’s redshirt seniors Michael Ohakwe and Bryan McBride became the first two Sun Devils to qualify for the NCAA Championships, both finishing in the top-12 of their events at the NCAA West Preliminary Meet on Thursday at Texas’ Mike A. Myers Stadium.
“It’s been a solid day for us to start,” Director of Track and Field Greg Kraft said. “People that we hoped to get through have done what they needed to do, there haven’t been any real surprises or casualties. Obviously our star Shelby Houlihan took care of business in the 1500m, and Bryan McBride had a lifetime best in the long jump at 7.80m, and then jumped 2.20m to lead the high jump. I’m really proud of both him and Michael Ohakwe, who had about a four-hour lightning delay that held up the discus and the long jump. We knew that it was going to be one of our challenges at this meet and they really handled it well. All in all it was a good day, but we still have a lot more work to do.”
After waiting out hours of weather delays, Ohakwe, a native of Dallas, Texas, finished in 10th in the men’s discus trials, moving into the position with his third throw, marked at 55.02m (180-06). The NCAA Championships are set for June 10-13 in Eugene, Ore. at Hayward Field.
McBride earned bids in two events, finishing the day in a tie for first in the high jump with a successful clearance at 2.20m (7-2.50). This marks the second consecutive year that the Peoria, Ariz., native has finished at the top of the high jump leaderboard.
Before embarking in the first step of his NCAA title defense, McBride set a new personal best in his qualification in the long jump at 7.80m (25-7.25), finishing ninth overall. The mark is the new No. 10 in the ASU Outdoor Record Book, which has not changed since the 2008 season.
On the track, senior Shelby Houlihan posted the top time in the opening round of the 1500m run at 4:20.54, and will race in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. CT. Houlihan will also run in the 5000m semifinals on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. PT/8:05 p.m. CT.
Senior Brianna Tate won her heat of the 400m dash first round with a time of 52.68, earning an automatic qualification for Friday’s 4 p.m. PT/6 p.m. CT quarterfinals. Tate’s time was fifth overall.
On the men’s side, redshirt senior Devan Spann also qualified for the quarterfinals in the 400m dash, finishing 19th overall at 47.02.
Competition at the NCAA West Preliminary meet continues for the Sun Devils on Friday at 10 a.m. PT/Noon CT with the trials of the women’s discus. On the track, the first event for the Sun Devils will be the first round of the men’s 110m hurdles at 3:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m. CT. Video streaming of Friday’s events is scheduled to start at 2:45 p.m. PT/4:45 p.m. CT.
Arizona State Results
Women’s 100m Dash First Round
37. Jasmine Gibbs – 11.61 (Season best)
Women’s 400m Dash First Round
5. Brianna Tate – 52.68 (Qualifies for Friday’s Quarterfinals)
34. Sara McDonald – 54.71
Women’s 400m Hurdles First Round
40. Kiera Bulluck – 1:02.04
Women’s 1500m Run First Round
1. Shelby Houlihan – 4:20.54 (Qualifies for Saturday’s Quarterfinals)
Women’s Long Jump Trials
45. Jasmine Gibbs – 5.56m (18-3.00)
Women’s Hammer Trials
34. Ginger Jarchow – 55.98m (183-08)
35. Magdalyn Ewen – 55.88m (183-04)
36. Jessika Byrd – 55.87m (183-03)
Men’s 100m Dash First Round
45. Jamol James – 10.88
Men’s 400m Dash First Round
19. Devan Spann – 47.02 (Qualifies for Friday’s Quarterfinals)
Men’s 800m Run First Round
44. Michael Julian – 1:52.80
Men’s Long Jump Trials
9. Bryan McBride – 7.80m (25-7.25) (PR, No. 10 in ASU Record Book) *Qualifies for NCAA Finals
23. Josh Dixon – 7.34m (24-1.00)
Men’s High Jump Trials
T1. Bryan McBride – 2.20m (7-2.50) *Qualifies for NCAA Finals
Men’s Discus Trials
10. Michael Ohakwe – 55.02m (180-06) *Qualifies for NCAA Finals
14. Kyle Long – 54.53m (178-11)