The Oregon men’s track and field team earned four national qualifiers Friday in the NCAA West Preliminary at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Among the four, all three of the Ducks’ 1500m entrants advanced.
Oregon’s men will compete at the NCAA Championships with PJ Ize-Iyamu in the 100 meters, Elliot Cook, Rheinhardt Harrison, and Tomas Palfrey in the 1500, and Rafael Raap in the decathlon.
The UO men’s 1500 meters team is sending three qualifiers back to Eugene after going 3-for-3 in Friday’s quarterfinal heats. Elliott Cook and Rheinhardt Harrison ran 3:40.43 and 3:40.58, respectively, to place in the top five in heat one and qualify automatically.
Tomas Palfrey finished seventh in that same heat in 3:41.09, which was quick enough—by.03—to secure the final on-time spot at the national meet.
The men’s 1500 meters semifinal round will take place on Wednesday, June 5, at 4:46 p.m. (PT) in Eugene.
PJ Ize-Iyamu, the Pac-12 champion in the 100 meters, will now compete on his home track after setting an all-conditions record in the quarterfinals on Friday. In the second heat, battling for a top-three slot, the UO sophomore dropped at the line in 10.04w (+2.6), earning an automatic spot in the national competition. Ize-Iyamu will make his first solo NCAA appearance after participating in the Ducks’ 4×100 last year.
The Pasadena, California native will compete in his semifinal at Hayward Field on Wednesday, June 5, at 5:46 p.m.
The first event of the day saw Osawese Agbonkonkon join the program’s seven-foot club with a season-best clearing of 2.14m/7-0.25. He was clean through the first three heights of the competition before making his second attempt at 2.14 meters. The rookie is the first UO guy to clear seven feet since Ben Milligan in 2021.
Agbonkonkon finished 17th in his NCAA West Preliminary debut. Teammate Jack Normand (2.04m/6-8.25) finished tied for 31st place.
Matthew Erickson almost missed his second consecutive trip to the national meet, finishing 14th overall in the 800 meters.
The UO junior finished fourth in his heat with a timing of 1:48.44, one position shy of the automatic berth and two spots behind in the overall rankings.
Notable: Benjamin Balazs finished 15th in the steeplechase (8:50.18).Devin Hart finished 18th in the 5,000 meters (14:09.31), following his return from the 10,000 meters on Wednesday.The quartet of Ize-Iyamu, Anthony Trucks, Rodrick Pleasant, and Caleb Hagan placed 20th in the 4×100 (40.26).Giuliano Scasso finished 42nd in the steeplechase (9:23.32).
Up next: The women’s competition will take place on the final day of the NCAA West Preliminary, with the Ducks fielding 18 athletes in 12 events. Taylor Chocek (heptathlon), Shelby Moran (hammer), and Jaida Ross (shot put) are the three national qualifiers for the Oregon women’s team heading into Saturday. Day four’s schedule begins at 11 a.m. (PT) with the discus, a field that includes both Moran and Ross.
The NCAA East Preliminary is also taking place this week in Lexington, Kentucky. The top 12 in each event at both sites progress to the 2024 NCAA Championships, which will be held at Hayward Field in Eugene from June 5-8.
Friday Results
NCAA West Preliminary (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Q – advances to NCAA Championships
MEN
100 Meters
T10. PJ Ize-Iyamu – 10.04wQ (+2.6)
800 Meters
14. Matthew Erickson – 1:48.44
1500 Meters
6. Elliott Cook – 3:40.43Q
9. Rheinhardt Harrison – 3:40.58Q (SB)
12. Tomas Palfrey – 3:41.09Q
5,000 Meters
18. Devin Hart – 14:09.31
3,000m Steeplechase
15. Benjamin Balazs – 8:50.18
42. Giuliano Scasso – 9:23.32
4x100m Relay
20. Anthony Trucks—Rodrick Pleasant—Caleb Hagan—PJ Ize-Ize-Iyamu – 40.26
High Jump
17. Osawese Agbonkonkon – 2.14m/7-0.25 (SB)
T31. Jack Normand – 2.04m/6-8.25
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