Speed Kills: Six Miners Qualify for the NCAA Championships

The UTEP Track team had a monster outing at Day 2 of the NCAA West Preliminaries in Austin, TX.  From the official press release:

On the men’s side, Anderson Mutegi (400m) and Ronalds Arajs (100m), hammer throwers Dimitrios Fylladitakis and Hans Eriksson, and Nicodemus Ng’etich (3,000m steeplechase) will all make the trip to Eugene, Ore., in two weeks. Nine-time All-American Blessing Okagbare will represent the 13th-ranked women with appearances in the 100-meter dash and the long jump.

“We had five guys qualify and Blessing [Okagbare] qualify in two events today so I would say we had a good day,” said head coach Bob Kitchens. “We’re definitely having a good meet. Now we just have to see what our relays and the remaining our of women do tomorrow.”

In her first of two events of the day, Okagbare turned in the second best performance of the day in the women’s 100-meter dash. Okagbare was also an automatic qualifier finishing first in her heat clocking in a time of 11.22. The senior took third in the women’s long jump after just three jumps. Following a foul in her first attempt, Okagbare leaped to 6.51m (21-04.25) in her second jump and 6.44m (21-01.50) to qualify for the final three attempts. Okagbare passed on her final three having secured a spot for nationals.

Congratulations to the Miners who have qualified for the NCAA Championships and best luck to those competing tomorrow.

On the schedule for the final day of the west preliminary, junior Terran Alexander will take the field in the women’s hammer throw. Running events will begin with the women’s 4x100m relay followed by the men’s 4x100m. Risper Kimaiyo and Kathya Garcia will take the track in the women’s 5,000 meters.

What an incredible job by Miner legend Bob Kitchens. Coach Kitchens will undoubtedly be missed as this is his final season coaching the team. Kitchens will retire after this outdoor season.