By Tyler Wooten
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State will send two student-athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., in two weeks following qualifying performances by junior David Timlin and senior Adarius Washington at the final day of the NCAA East Regional on Saturday evening.
Washington, an All-American hurdler from Indianapolis, won Heat Three at 13.50 seconds to claim an automatic qualifying berth to the national meet, finishing third overall. Washington entered the regional meet ranked No. 1 in the East Region, as well as No. 2 in the NCAA.
However, Washington nearly had a disaster on his hands after he realized he did not have his competition uniform or his bib number at the track with him. Thankfully, his teammate and fellow national qualifier David Timlin came to the rescue.
“Right before the race I noticed that I didn't have my number and uniform top, so I ran in Timlin's and the officials made me a number, and that took a lot of my focus from the race. But, I somehow calmed myself down before getting in the blocks. When it came to the race, I went over the first hurdle and floated it bad and came down with some weird form, so I lined myself up and really charged hurdles two-through-10 and made all the ground I had lost back.”
With his ticket to Eugene punched, Washington now sets up an intriguing contest against Oregon's Devon Allen – the No. 1 hurdler in the NCAA at 13.32 seconds. Allen – a football star for the Ducks – ran that time just two weeks ago at the Pac-12 Championships into a headwind. Before, both Allen and Washington were tied for No. 1 in the NCAA at 13.40 seconds.
“Overall, I'm happy, but I'm hungry for more,” Washington concluded.
Washington's performance came about a half hour off the heels of Timlin's national qualifying performance in the 1500, and a half hour before he had to part ways with his jersey. The junior Chicago native finished seventh in his heat at a season-best 3:44.38 seconds, but was able to claim the final at-large qualifying spot by running one of the top-two remaining fastest times after the 10 automatic qualifiers.
“Truthfully, my race wasn't perfect,” Timlin said. “I worked from the back as usual and was waiting until around 500 meters left to move. Usually the pack thins out by then, but considering the competition it was still a large pack. I spent most of the last lap maneuvering around guys, and I didn't get a good chance to close until less than 150 meters to go. I'll be ready for a faster one in a few weeks' time at NCAAs, though.”
Timlin is no stranger to the national meet, as he was the fourth place finisher at the regional meet last year before finishing 14th overall in Eugene at a school-record time of 3:42.22 to earn Second-Team All-American honors.
“I'm very pleased that both David and Adarius made their second NCAA Championships,” said ISU men's head coach John McNichols. “Timlin ran his usual strategic race in the 1500. He knew the pace was faster than the first two heats, meaning he needed to sprint down the straightaway for that last qualifying spot.”
“Adarius placed fifth indoors one year ago, but missed qualifying for outdoors due to a strained hamstring,” McNichols continued. “This year he has run a very complete season, not being beaten by a single collegiate athlete in the process. His only loss was to (former Sycamore All-American) Greggmar (Swift) in December. He now goes to nationals and is sure to make something of it.”
ISU also had five other competitors on the final day in Jacksonville: sophomore Jaime Murtagh in the high jump (21st, 2.08m/6-09.75); senior Jamar Brown in the shot put (40th, 16.55m/54-03.75); senior Whitney Walker in the shot put (41st, 14.48m/47-06.25); freshman Cassaundra Roper in the shot put (42nd, 14.41m/47-03.50); and senior Katelyn Rutz in the shot put (44th, 14.00m/45-11.25).
Washington and Timlin will run in the prelims of their races at Day One of the NCAA Championships on Wed., June 8, with the finals slated for Fri., June 10.
For the latest information on the Sycamore Track and Field team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.
