Clark, Morley Punch Ticket to Nationals

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Colorado distance runners Erin Clark and Makena Morley punched their ticket to the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships after placing sixth and 12^th, respectively, in the 10,000-meter run here Thursday night at the NCAA West Preliminary Round.

WHAT HAPPENED
Clark and Morley ran smart, steady races working their way into qualifying spots and holding on. Clark finished in sixth place overall with a time of 34:41.16 while teammate Morley crossed the finish line in that No. 12 sweet spot in 35:01.40 to advance. Carrie Verdon ran an incredible race as she finished one spot behind teammate Morley and one spot shy of advancing with a time of 35:08.72. Annie Kelly placed 20^th finishing in 35:47.81.

Action for the Buffs started with the 400 meter hurdles where two individuals advanced to the quarterfinals Friday evening. On the men's side, Jaron Thomas advanced to the quarterfinals as he finished in 14^th overall. He ran in the fastest heat that advanced six from it including Thomas, who finished in fourth with a time of 51.76. For the women, Eriana Henderson snuck her way into the quarterfinals as she finished in 25^th place with a time of 1:00.34. Henderson was originally left out of the qualifying spots, but due to timing errors early in the meet, officials decided to add the next three fastest individuals which included Henderson. The 400 meter hurdles quarterfinals will be Friday at 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

The Buffs had a great deal of success in the 1,500 earlier in the day, qualifying a strong duo for the quarterfinals on Saturday. Dani Jones won her heat with a solid 4:24.12 to finish fourth overall. The Pac-12 Champion heads into Saturday's race in a good position to advance to Eugene. Ben Saarel moved on for the men finishing second in his heat, clocking a 3:49.45 time. Saarel ran a smart race as he went straight to the top three spots from the gun and held before moving into first. Saarel had a comfortable lead and held it until the last 200 meters where Jeff Thies sprinted to finish ahead of Saarel, who's finish automatically advanced him to Saturday.

Nick Harris also advanced to the quarterfinal in the 800 meters as he clocked a 1:50.88 to finish in 16^th overall. Harris crossed the finish line in fifth place out of his heat, but his time pushed him into the qualifying spot. He will compete Friday at 5:45 p.m. MT.

UP NEXT
Friday's events will start for the Buffs at 3:30 MT with the women's high jump on the field and at 4:00 MT on the track with Jaron Thomas in the 110 meter hurdles.

QUOTABLE (Head Coach Mark Wetmore)
"Things went about how the chart would have predicted. Advancing Dani through to Saturday in the 1,500 meters as well as Ben. Both running smart, careful and purposeful races. Nick Harris advanced in the 800, Jaron in the 400 hurdles. Eriana got a little help from some timing problems. They had to advance 27 instead of 24, but she gets to fight another day."

"In the 10,000s, Erin making it to Nationals along with Makena, she got the last spot. A little bitter sweet for Carrie Verdon, who had a wonderful race. Far out ran her ranking to finish 13^th. Great race for all three women in the 10,000 meters. Then the two guys in the men's 10,000 I think out ran their ranking but, of course not close to the top-12. It was good experience for them the first time here and will do better next year. So on to the next day, where we have some people in the next round and some who could advance."

2017 NCAA WEST PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mike A. Myers Stadium (University of Texas)
Austin, Texas

Track Events
Women 400 Hurdles: (1. Amalie Luel, USC, 57.21) 24. Eriana Henderson, 1:00.34; 35. Gabby Scott, 1:02.85
Men 400 Hurdles: (1. Byron Robinson, Texas, 50.34) 14. Jaron Thomas, 51.76; 32. Trenton Stringari, 52.48; 37. Kodie Artner, 53:07
Women 1500 Meters: (1. Katie Rainsberger, Oregon, 4:23.49) 4. Dani Jones, 4:24.12
Men 1500 Meters: (1. Jeff Thies, Portland, 3:49.10) 2. Ben Saarel, 3:49.45
Men 400 Meters: (1. Mar'yea Harris, 45.66) 47. Duane McClurkin Jr., 52.33
Women 800 Meters: (1. Raevyn Rogers, 2:06.94) 28. Karina Mann, 2:10.10
Men 800 Meters: (1. Strymar Livingston, 1:49.14) 16. Nick Harris, 1:50.88
Women 10,000 Meters: (1. Alice Wright, 34:06.78) 6. Erin Clark, 34:41.16; 12. Makena Morley, 35:01.40; 13. Carrie Verdon, 35:08.72; 20. Annie Kelly, 35:47.81
Men 10,000 Meters: (1. Marc Scott, Tulsa, 29:50.49) 23. Ryan Forsyth, 30:36.58; 35. Ethan Gonzales, 31:15.86

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kodie Artner

Erin Clark

Ryan Forsyth

Ethan Gonzales

Nick Harris

Eriana Henderson

Dani Jones

Annie Kelly

Karina Mann

Duane McClurkin Jr.

Makena Morley

Ben Saarel

Gabby Scott

Trenton Stringari

Jaron Thomas

Carrie Verdon