Claxton Advances to NCAAs, Qualifies for Rio Olympics
Live Results ǀ Day One Recap
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After qualifying for the quarterfinal round in the women's 400m hurdles with her second-fastest time ever, University at Albany senior Grace Claxton took to the track again on Friday with a berth into NCAA Championships on the line. Claxton's time of 56.97 qualified her fourth overall out of the 24 quarterfinalists.
Running in the first of three quarterfinal heats, Claxton crossed the line in second place behind Kiah Seymor from the Universtiy of Kentucky. By finishing within the top-three in her heat, Claxton earned an automatic qualifying berth in the NCAA Championships. Her time of 55.90 surpassed her own school record of 56.69, which she set in her victory in the event at the Penn Relays.
Additionally, Claxton's time qualifies her for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August. Claxton, who is the first female track & field athlete from UAlbany to qualify for the Olympic Games, will represent her native Puerto Rico.
The Great Danes had a second quarterfinalist in action on Friday. Senior Taariq Jones ran a personal-best in the men's 400m on Thursday, qualifying for the quarterfinals in 23rd place. Today, Jones crossed the line in 47.11, placing 22nd overall.
Two other UAlbany student-athletes competed in their events on Friday. First, junior Jonathan Eustache competed in the men's discus. He placed 34th overall with a throw of 170'-3”. Finally, freshman and school record-holder Anika Hibbard competed in the women's high jump. She placed in a tie for 40th, clearing a height of 5'-5.25”.
Saturday is the final day of competition, and will feature three more Great Danes, Alexander Bowen, Matthew Campbell, and Kingsley Ogbonna, each competing in the men's high jump.
