The University of Akron Athletics
Peoples Sets Record; Wert & Kayes Advance to NCAAs
May 29 | Track & Field
GREENSBORO, N.C. - University of Akron sophomore Tyshaun Peoples set a school record in the 110-meter hurdles, while Valerie Wert and Carrie Kayes secured berths to the NCAA Championships Friday at the NCAA East Preliminary. Also Friday, UA sophomore Phil Ferguson qualified for Saturday's final in the 200m.
Peoples, who qualified for Saturday's quarterfinal in the 110 hurdles with a 12th-place finish in the NCAA first round, became the first Zips to break the 14 second barrier with an Akron record time of 13.89. Peoples will compete in the NCAA quarterfinal at the East Preliminary on Saturday at 7:05 pm and look to once again finish among the top 12 in order to earn a berth to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships next week.
While Peoples is hoping to make the trip to the NCAA Outdoors, Wert punched her ticket to Eugene, Ore., by placing fourth in the hammer with a season-best throw of 195-4. Wert entered the East Preliminary as the 13th seed. The Lexington native will look to earn a second berth Saturday as she is the seventh seed in the discus. The 2010 MAC hammer and discus champion will need to finish among the East's top 12 to compete in the discus as well at the NCAA Outdoors.
Later, Kayes, a two-time All-American in the pole vault, will have a chance to add to her tally by tying for first with a vault of 13-1.50. The Green native was one of four competitors to pass on the first four bars. Kayes only needed one attempt to successfully clear the fifth and final bar to secure her bid to the NCAA Outdoors. Sophomore Katherine Lee tied for 30th, clearing the first bar of 11-9.75.
Ferguson placed 19th with a time of 21.15, advancing to the quarterfinal by virtue of time. The Copley product will look to finish among the top 12 Saturday to join Wert and Kayes at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Ferguson will also attempt to qualify for the NCAA Championships Saturday as a member of the 4x100 relay, along with teammates Marcus Ferguson, Lorenzo Brazzell and Aaron Dobson,
Mike McCall tied for 18th in the men's high jump. He cleared 6-11, as did 13 others, with the group finishing anywhere from eighth to 18th. However, due to previous misses, McCall was not involved in the jump off to determine the top 12.
In the men's shot put, Keith Huebner missed an NCAA berth by five spots at the NCAA East Prelim, placing 17th with a mark of 57-7. Tyler Sweet placed 25th in the javelin with a throw of 200-11.
Scheduled to compete on Friday, but postponed until Saturday morning was UA sophomore Joe McCoy. The Zips' record holder in the steeplechase will compete at 9:30 am with the top 12 advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Akron's Saturday Schedule:
9:30 am - Joe McCoy (Steeplechase) - Quarterfinal only (top 12 advance to NCAA Championships)
3:30 pm - Valerie Wert (Discus) - Qualifying (top 12 advance to NCAA Championships)
4:00 pm - Niesha Kelly, Alina Bocicor (Triple Jump) - Qualifying (top 12 advance to NCAA Championships)
6:00 pm - 4x100 Relay (Phil Ferguson, Marcus Ferguson, Lorenzo Brazzell, Aaron Dobson)
6:45 pm - Larisa Arcip (Women's 1,500m) - Quarterfinal (top 12 advance to NCAA Championships)
7:05 pm - Tyshaun Peoples (Men's 110m Hurdles) - Quarterfinal (top 12 advance to NCAA Championships)
7:35 pm - Phil Ferguson (Men's 200m) - Quarterfinal (top 12 advance to NCAA Championships)
