KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

GREENSBORO, N.C.  ? Indiana State seniors Kylie Hutson and Erica Moore along with junior Major Clay will have their outdoor track & field seasons continued for another couple of weeks after each qualified to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on the second day of the East Preliminary Round on Friday.

“Kylie (Hutson) had no trouble coming back from her injury and Erica (Moore) looked very, very strong today,” John Gartland, Indiana State women's track & field coach said. “Kelsey (Hanley) just missed the 16 person final in the hammer. I think she had a good chance of making the top 12 if she could have gotten into that final rotation.”

“Major (Clay) did a great job keeping his composure in very tough competition,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's coach said. “He had outstanding presence tonight. Brandon (Pounds) just missed making the finals in the shot. We are very disappointed because he certainly belongs at the National Championship. This was a great experience for Michael (Roberts). He's been here now, knows what it takes to get the job done, and I look forward to his competing next year.”

Moore, who had the fourth fastest time in the 400 meter hurdles coming out of the preliminary round on Thursday at 57.18, ran even faster Friday as she was timed in 56.58 which is just off her school record time of 56.21.

Hutson needed just one vault to settle any debate about whether she could come back from a hand injury she suffered at the Billy Hayes Invitational earlier this month. The Sycamore senior easily cleared 13'-1.5” (4.00 meters) and that was the only jump she would have to make in order to advance to the 2010 National Championship in defense of her 2009 title.

Clay had to clear three bars before punching his ticket to the NCAA Championship finals. The junior cleared 7'-1” (2.16 meters) on his second attempt which earned him a berth in the Eugene, Ore., finals.

Hanley finished 22nd in the women's hammer throw with a distance of 178'-3' (54.33 meters) which was just a couple feet short of earning her a spot in the 16 person final and a chance to make the top 12 which advance to the national championship.

Pounds placed 19th in the men's shot put with a throw of 57'-3.5” (17.46) which, like Hanley in the Hammer Throw, was just a few feet shy of earning him a spot in the 16 personal final.

Also in competition today was freshman Richelle Kimble who made her first appearance in post-season action in the women's pole vault. Kimble had three good attempts at the opening height of 11'-9.75” (3.60 meters) but could not clear the bar successfully.

Junior Michael Roberts competed in the 110 meter hurdle preliminaries and finished in 33 rd with a time of 14.37. 

Junior Michael Disher was scheduled to compete tonight in the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase but a deluge of rain forced postponement of that race until 9:30 a.m. (ET) Saturday.

Pounds returns to action at 9:30 a.m. (ET) Saturday for the men's discus with Hanley back for the women's discus at 3:30 p.m. (ET). Senior Lauren Martin competes in the women's triple jump at 4 p.m. (ET) with the women's 4x400 meter relay team of freshman Leeann Michl, Martin, freshman Stacia Weatherford, and Moore, competing at 9:45 p.m. (ET).

Live web stream and results of the East Preliminary Round can be found at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship website: http://www.ncaa.com/sports/c-otrack/champpage/c-otrack-div1-east-index.html