KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Indiana State sophomore Greggmar Swift became the second member of the men's team and the fifth Sycamore overall to qualify for the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Finals at Drake University, placing second in the second heat of the 110 meter hurdle quarterfinals Saturday at the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
“I made some corrections from the race yesterday but still made some small mistakes,” Swift said. “I got off well and led through the first four hurdles but made a mistake and got behind Devon Hill (Miami). I tried to run him down but clipped the last hurdle. He still ran a PR to beat me.”
Swift ran 13.55 in the quarterfinals which was the fifth fastest of the three quarterfinal heats and earned him a spot in the semifinals at Drake University in two weeks. Hill won the second heat in 13.41. The Sycamore sophomore was eighth fastest in the preliminary round Friday with at time of 13.75.
“I am very happy right now to qualify for the NCAA and for the Olympics,” Swift said. “I am rejoicing now but when I get back to school next week, it is back to working hard to smooth out my racing.”
The sophomore was the lone bright spot for Indiana State on the day as three other Sycamores failed to advance out of the NCAA East Preliminary.
Felisha Johnson fouled on each of her three attempts in the women's hammer throw and failed to advance. The junior has already qualified for the NCAA Finals in the women's shot put and women's discus but could not become the second Indiana State woman to compete in three events at the same NCAA Championships.
“It just wasn't her day,” Angela Martin, Indiana State women's track & field coach, said. “We are pretty proud of the fact that she still gets to represent ISU in two events.”
The only Sycamore to compete in three events at the NCAA Championship remains with Holli Hyche during the 1994 Outdoor Championship where she won the 100 meters, finished second in the 200 meters, and was on the 4x100 relay team with Cindy Dobbs, Anisa Evans, and Omegia Keeys that finished third.
“This has been a great experience for the women and a great trip,” Martin said. “Each woman improved upon their ranking in all but one event. They did their best and we are looking forward to the NCAA Finals.”
The Sycamores will also not have a representative in the men's high jump after both senior Major Clay and freshman Jonathan Christensen failed to advance. Both Indiana State athletes have been recovering from serious injuries at the end of the indoor season and have competed in just two meets before the NCAA East competition.
“Major had to do everything right just to get here and it is a shame that his career at Indiana State has to end this way,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach said. “But it is a tribute to him that he stayed focused after a severe injury during the indoor season and worked his way back into competition.”
Clay tied for 20th by clearing 6-feet-11 ½-inches (2.12 meters) while Christensen tied for 32nd after clearing 6-feet-9 ½-inches (2.07 meters).
“This was a good experience for Christensen who also had to work his way back from a serious injury,” McNichols said. “He got a good feel of what to expect at this level and that will benefit him throughout the rest of his career.”
The 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Finals will be held June 6-9 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Sycamores will be represented by Johnson in the shot put and discus, Mary Theisen in the shot put, Stacia Weatherford in the 400 meter hurdles, Brandon Pounds in the men's hammer throw, and Swift in the 110 meter hurdles.
