Final Results
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of South Alabama track and field teams took to the Audrey J. Walton Stadium in Columbia, Mo., for their chance at advancing from the NCAA Mideast Regional to the National Championships. Senior Tonny Okello punched his ticket to Sacramento, Calif., Friday night by way his fifth place finish in the 5000m.
Reigning national 1500m champ Vincent Rono qualified for the Regional finals in the metric mile and the 800m, the only athlete to do so. In his premier event, Rono lost his first race in 19 collegiate-career outings finishing sixth after three and three-quarters laps. Kentucky junior John Richardson took the title with a time of 3:44.44 after having the fastest qualifying-time from Friday's prelims. Rono's 3:45.62 still earned the Jags three points, giving them seven and positioned the squad in 18th in team standings at that time.
Rono returned to action about an hour later in the 800m. Just as last year, the double proved out of reach and the Bomet, Kenya native took 10th in the half-mile.
Fortunately for Rono, who failed to automatically qualify in either event by finishing in the top five spots, he had the fifth-fastest 1500m time coming in the Regional Championships weekend. Those who are at the top of the national descending order list, and who do not automatically qualify will be the first at-large bids into the national championships, provided they finish in the top 12 of their respective event in the regional (and participate and finish a final in which they were entered). That decision will be made on Tuesday, May 29.
Fellow senior Ajoke Odumosu, who came in to the weekend with the nation's fastest time in the 400m hurdles and the best time in qualifying, finished second over the barriers in the finals. LSU's Nickiesha Wilson posted a Walton Stadium record 55.20 to defeat Odumosu, who posted a time of 55.84. The Jag senior from Lagos, Nigeria automatically qualifies for the NCAA Championships for the second straight year, third of her career (2004).
Micah Tirop, in his first year as a Jag, competed in the men's 3000m steeplechase. The sophomore finished second in Section-1 of two heats with a time of 9:05.42. He placed 14th overall in just his first ever season running the steeples. As a result, the men's side finished with seven points, 25th overall.
The Jag day ended with the women's 4x400m relay. Sophomore Jessica Miller, juniors Clarisse Moh and Cassandra Perkins, along with the senior Odumosu finished 11th overall in 3:40.80. The women's squad placed 24th in total team scoring at the end of the weather-delayed evening with eight points.
