Saturday, May 26
Tampa, Fla.
All Day
University of Louisville
vs
NCAA Preliminaries
Photo by: Jeff Reinking | Louisville Athletics
Four Athletes Advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championship on the Final Day at the NCAA East Preliminary
May 26, 2018 | Track & Field
Makenli Forrest, Damar Robinson, Jerin Allen and Bailey Davis punch their tickets to Eugene on the final day
TAMPA, Fla. – Four athletes led the University of Louisville track and field teams on the final day of competition at the NCAA East Preliminary, qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Makenli Forrest, Damar Robinson, Jerin Allen and Bailey Davis all punched their tickets to Eugene on Saturday from the USF Track and Field Stadium.
"Both squads were able to close out the weekend on positive notes today," said head coach Dale Cowper. "I'm really proud of the way the group competed this weekend. We're excited to have seven representatives advancing to Eugene for the NCAA Finals in two weeks."
Forrest was the first to earn a spot in the NCAA Championships. She finished ninth in the women's hammer throw with a toss of 61.62m (202-2). The freshman will be making her first NCAA Outdoor appearance after earning All-American honors during the NCAA Indoor Championships in the weight throw.
"Makenli Forrest was able to regain her confidence and advance this morning in the women's hammer throw," said Cowper. "She becomes our third freshman to advance from the women's team this weekend so clearly the future is bright."
Despite the adverse weather conditions, Robinson and Allen earned a spot at the NCAA Championships in the high jump. Robinson finished third, clearing 2.16m (7-1). Robinson will be making his first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He is a two-time Indoor All-American. Allen finished eighth with a leap of 2.11m (6-11). He will be making his second straight NCAA Outdoor Championship appearance. He finished seventh in the high jump last year at the NCAA Championships, earning All-American honors. He is also an indoor All-American in the event as well.
"Damar Robinson and Jerin Allen were both able to punch their tickets during a stormy high jump competition," Cowper stated. "Both of them showed great resilience as we endured well over an inch of rainfall during the men's high jump competition."
In the final event of the championship, Davis ran the best race of her career to date. She finished fifth overall and third in her heat with a personal best time of 16:15.69. Bailey, a senior, advances to her first NCAA Championship appearance.
"Bailey Davis closed out the weekend in style by executing a perfect race plan during the women's 5K," said Cowper. "She was patient for 3800 meters and then simply out kicked the crowd to advance to Eugene. She has grown into one of the top runners in the country and is someone that opponents can never count out."
Devin Valentine wrapped up his career in the triple jump. He finished 41st with a mark of 14.34m (47-¾). Christian Buckley finished 34th in the men's shot put with a toss of 17.21m (56-5¾).
Seven student-athletes will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore. on June 6-9. Six athletes qualified this weekend while Joe Delgado earned a spot in the decathlon.
NCAA East Preliminary
Tampa, Fla. | USF Track and Field Stadium
May 26, 2018
Women's Hammer
9. Makenli Forrest, 61.62m (202-2)
-- Carsen Cassell, FOUL
Men's High Jump
3. Damar Robinson, 2.16m (7-1)
8. Jerin Allen, 2.11m (6-11)
Men's Triple Jump
41. Devin Valentine, 14.34m (47-¾)
Men's Shot Put
34. Christian Buckley, 17.21m (56-5¾)
Women's 5,000m
5. Bailey Davis, 16:15.69
"Both squads were able to close out the weekend on positive notes today," said head coach Dale Cowper. "I'm really proud of the way the group competed this weekend. We're excited to have seven representatives advancing to Eugene for the NCAA Finals in two weeks."
Forrest was the first to earn a spot in the NCAA Championships. She finished ninth in the women's hammer throw with a toss of 61.62m (202-2). The freshman will be making her first NCAA Outdoor appearance after earning All-American honors during the NCAA Indoor Championships in the weight throw.
"Makenli Forrest was able to regain her confidence and advance this morning in the women's hammer throw," said Cowper. "She becomes our third freshman to advance from the women's team this weekend so clearly the future is bright."
Despite the adverse weather conditions, Robinson and Allen earned a spot at the NCAA Championships in the high jump. Robinson finished third, clearing 2.16m (7-1). Robinson will be making his first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He is a two-time Indoor All-American. Allen finished eighth with a leap of 2.11m (6-11). He will be making his second straight NCAA Outdoor Championship appearance. He finished seventh in the high jump last year at the NCAA Championships, earning All-American honors. He is also an indoor All-American in the event as well.
"Damar Robinson and Jerin Allen were both able to punch their tickets during a stormy high jump competition," Cowper stated. "Both of them showed great resilience as we endured well over an inch of rainfall during the men's high jump competition."
In the final event of the championship, Davis ran the best race of her career to date. She finished fifth overall and third in her heat with a personal best time of 16:15.69. Bailey, a senior, advances to her first NCAA Championship appearance.
"Bailey Davis closed out the weekend in style by executing a perfect race plan during the women's 5K," said Cowper. "She was patient for 3800 meters and then simply out kicked the crowd to advance to Eugene. She has grown into one of the top runners in the country and is someone that opponents can never count out."
Devin Valentine wrapped up his career in the triple jump. He finished 41st with a mark of 14.34m (47-¾). Christian Buckley finished 34th in the men's shot put with a toss of 17.21m (56-5¾).
Seven student-athletes will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore. on June 6-9. Six athletes qualified this weekend while Joe Delgado earned a spot in the decathlon.
NCAA East Preliminary
Tampa, Fla. | USF Track and Field Stadium
May 26, 2018
Women's Hammer
9. Makenli Forrest, 61.62m (202-2)
-- Carsen Cassell, FOUL
Men's High Jump
3. Damar Robinson, 2.16m (7-1)
8. Jerin Allen, 2.11m (6-11)
Men's Triple Jump
41. Devin Valentine, 14.34m (47-¾)
Men's Shot Put
34. Christian Buckley, 17.21m (56-5¾)
Women's 5,000m
5. Bailey Davis, 16:15.69
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Multi Events
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Jumps
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