5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Championships Central | Schedule | Heat Sheets | Live Results
LAWRENCE, Kan. (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV track & field's Kaysee Pilgrim and Ayana Gales had strong showings on the second day (Friday) of the 2016 NCAA Outdoor West Preliminary Championships. Both Rebels advanced in their respective events to the NCAA's national meet, as Pilgrim did so in the high jump and Gales in the long jump. The three-day event, which has been hindered by inclement weather, is hosted by the University of Kansas at Rock Chalk Park and indoors at Anschutz Pavilion.
"This competition has given us many obstacles to overcome," said head coach Yvonne Wade. "The elimination of one round or track events definitely put us at a disadvantage today, but this is the sport. Everyone has to be able to adjust. I am very proud of Coach Enoch Borozinski and his athletes that competed today. We have a few more opportunities tomorrow to get to Eugene and I believe they are ready!"
The West Preliminary is one of two qualifiers the NCAA is hosting before its Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., on June 8-11. The East Preliminary will run concurrently - with the West - in Jacksonville, Fla., at the University of North Florida.
Pilgrim, who had to be moved indoors to the Anschutz Pavilion for the high jump, finished seventh overall with a measurement of 5-10.75 (1.80m). Gales, who was seeded seventh in the long jump and ranked 22nd nationally, finished ninth with a distance of 19-10.25 (6.05m).
The Scarlet & Gray got the day started properly with Myshauna Alexander in the javelin throw, finishing with a distance of 140-3/42.75m. The 100m trio of Drea Austin (11.63), Destiny Smith-Barnett (11.78) and Asia Cooper (12.15) concluded their one-day event.
Auzsane Crowe-Carter and Cortney Miller also competed Friday. Crowe-Carter took 15th in the 800m (2:07.68) while Miller tossed a distance of 190-9 (58.14m) in the hammer.
The 4x100m relay team of Micayla Coquia, Smith-Barnett, Gales, Austin and Cooper will start Saturday's slate of events at 10:00 am CT (8:00 am PT). The relay team ranks 15th in the event with a time of 44.88. Taylor Pegram ranks 45th in the region in the 100m hurdles with a personal-best time of 13.61 at the UC Riverside Invitational. She will start at 11:30 am CT (9:30 am PT).
Austin, who was fourth at the Conference meet time of 23.59 (w), will also have a go Saturday in the 200m at 12:30 pm CT (10:30 am PT).
