Ortega and Siefring Post Strong Starts in Heptathlon on Day Three of NCAA Track and Field Championships

Friday, June 8

Eugene, Ore.

University of Akron

NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Patricia Ortega - Jackie Siefring - 6/8/18

Photo by: Paul Hokanson

Ortega and Siefring Post Strong Starts in Heptathlon on Day Three of NCAA Track and Field Championships

June 08 | Track & Field

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FRIDAY RESULTS (PDF) | FRIDAY RESULTS (HTML) | FINAL MEN'S TEAM SCORES (PDF) | WOMEN'S HEPTATHLON SCORES (PDF) | THURSDAY RESULTS (PDF) | THURSDAY RESULTS (HTML) | WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES (PDF) | WEDNESDAY RESULTS (PDF) | WEDNESDAY RESULTS (HTML) | PHOTO GALLERY | LUCY BRYAN COMMENTS (THUR.) | DENNIS MITCHELL COMMENTS (WED.) | MATT LUDWIG COMMENTS (WED.) | JORDAN LATIMER COMMENTS (WED.) | NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW | NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE (PDF) | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO (WED.) | LIVE VIDEO (THUR.) | LIVE VIDEO (FRI.) | LIVE VIDEO (SAT.) | LIVE VIDEO LINKS (ALL) | MEN'S START LIST | WOMEN'S START LIST | WOMEN'S HEPTATHLON START LIST

EUGENE, Ore. – University of Akron seniors Patricia Ortega (Logrono, Spain) and Jackie Siefring (Covington, Ohio) opened their efforts in the women's heptathlon registering four-event cumulative scores of 3,418 and 3,395 on the third day of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday, June 8, at historic Hayward Field.

The Akron men's track and field finished tied for 16th at in the team competition with 16 points ahead of 11 teams ranked in the latest United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) top-25 including No. 6 Oregon, No. 7 Brigham Young, No. 12 Texas, No. 15 Kansas, No. 18 Northern Arizona, No. 19 Illinois, No. 20 Nebraska, No. 22 Tennessee, No. 23 Penn State, No. 24 Indiana and No. 25 Southern Mississippi.

"A significant day for the men with them finishing 16th in the country," Akron head track and field coach Dennis Mitchell commented. "When you think of the teams we beat it is a great honor for the program. A big congratulations to Jordan (Latimer) and Matt (Ludwig) for their great performances here this week."

In a tightly-contested field where fifth through 14th place are separated by only 86 points, Ortega and Siefring sit in 12th and 14th place. The Zips' duo is traditionally strong in the final three events of the heptathlon, which will be rounded out on Saturday, June 9, with the long jump at 2:30 p.m. ET followed by the javelin and 800 meters at 3:45 and 8:13 p.m. ET, respectively.

"In the heptathlon it was an up and down day," said Mitchell. "However, we are still sitting strong after the 200 today. Both ladies are second-day athletes, so we are close to where we should be to be in contention for podium. There are a lot of great athletes in the event and we will have to bring our 'A' game tomorrow."

Ortega opened the heptathlon running the fifth-fastest time in the 100-meter hurdles, 13.54, just two one-hundredths of a second off her career-best time of 13.52 set at the Mid-American Conference Championships on May 10. Siefring began her effort in the heptathlon posting a time of 14.19 in the event.

In the high jump, Siefring recorded a career-best clearance of 5-7.75 (1.72m) to place ninth, while Ortega equaled the mark to finish 10th.

Siefring got off to a strong start in the high jump clearing marks of 5-1.75 (1.57m), 5-3 (1.60m) and 5-4.25 (1.63m) on her first attempts at each height. She then needed three opportunities to clear the bar at 5-5.25 (1.66m).

Siefring equaled a career-best mark, set most recently at the Bryan Clay Invitational on April 18, surpassing 5-6.50 (1.69m) on her first attempt. She then established a new career-best mark of 5-7.75 (1.72m) clearing the bar on her second run at the height. Siefring was unable to extend her run in the high jump coming up shy on her attempts at 5-8.75 (1.75m).

Ortega cleared her opening four bars of 5-3 (1.60m), 5-4.25 (1.63m), 5-5.25 (1.66m) and 5-6.50 (1.69m) on her initial runs at each of the heights. She then needed three attempts to best the bar at 5-7.75 (1.72m). Her efforts to surpass the next mark of 5-8.75 (1.75m) were not rewarded as she was unable to better the bar.

In the shot put, Siefring and Ortega recorded marks of 38-9.50 (11.82m) and 36-0.75 (10.99m), respectively. Siefring's best effort came on her opening throw, while Ortega saved her best for last posting her top mark on her final attempt.

Siefring and Ortega capped their opening-day efforts in the heptathlon crossing the line in 24.69 and 24.85, respectively, in the 200 meters. The duo's performances were the ninth- and 12th-fastest times in the event.

Junior Abigale Wilson (Carrollton, Ohio) will be Akron's last competitor in the championships taking part in the women's discus at 6:05 p.m. ET on Saturday. She is seeded 10th in the event after placing fourth at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on May 25 with a mark of 178-9 (54.49m). It will mark her first-ever NCAA Championship appearance.

"We are looking forward to seeing what Abbie can do in the discus tomorrow," said Mitchell.

Coverage of the meet will be available on ESPN on Saturday from 7-9:30 ET. In addition, live field event coverage will be provided on ESPN3 (2:30-9 p.m. ET).

WOMEN'S HEPTATHLON RESULTS:
Patricia Ortega (12th-3,418), Jackie Siefring (14th-3,395); 100-Meter Hurdles: Patricia Ortega (5th-13.54), Jackie Siefring (22nd-14.19); High Jump: Jackie Siefring (9th-5-7.75/1.72m*), Patricia Ortega (10th-5-7.75/1.72m); Shot Put: Jackie Siefring (15th-38-9.50/11.82m), Patricia Ortega (18th-36-0.75/10.99m); 200 Meters: Jackie Siefring (9th-24.69), Patricia Ortega (12th-24.85)

THURSDAY WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
Pole Vault: Lucy Bryan (6th-14-1.25/4.30m)

THURSDAY WOMEN'S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
100-Meter Hurdles: Dara Perry (20th-13.34)

WEDNESDAY MEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
Pole Vault: Matt Ludwig (2nd-18-2.50/5.55m); Javelin: Rodrigo Iglesias (21st-207-5/63.23m); Long Jump: Jordan Latimer (2nd-26-3.75/8.02m), Terrell McClain (11th-25-6/7.77m)