Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
McLean and Owens Qualify for NCAA Championships
May 31, 2014 | Men's Track and Field
Results
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (5/30/14) – Two more tickets! Senior Damon McLean and junior Eddie Owens both earned their way to the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship on Day 2 of the East Regional.
McLean makes his return as he qualified in the triple jump, while Owens makes his debut in the steeplechase.
McLean along with sophomore Nana Owusu-Nyantekyi both made the top 16 this afternoon, out of 48, and received three more attempts.
McLean pulled off making the finals on his third jump of the afternoon. After fouling on his first jump, he only reached 15.38 on his second attempt. With a 15.85 on his third attempt he moved on. However he fouled twice on his next two attempts before a 15.34. The 15.85 (52-0) was all he needed however to make the trip to Eugene, placing eighth at the Regional.
McLean, who missed out on making the final last year, was eighth at the NCAAs in 2012 to earn first-team All-America honors. The Princeton school record holder has a PR of 16.11 (52-10.25) in the event, a mark he reached his season. The triple jump final will take place on June 14.
Owusu-Nyantekyi missed qualifying for Eugene by three spots as he finished in 15th place with a jump of 15.42 (50-7.25), his best jump of the season. He was second in his flight to make the top group of 16 but wouldn't improve on that mark as his next three recorded jumps were 13.84, 14.76 and 15.28.
Senior Tom Hopkins completed his collegiate career today in the 400. Hopkins qualified for today's quarterfinal after posting a 46.79 in the opening round yesterday. Hopkins crossed the line at 46.66 today to finish sixth in heat 1 and finished 16th overall.
Owens earned his way to his first NCAA Championships in the final event of the day, the steeplechase. Owens was fourth in heat 3 with a PR of 8:46.41, shaving 6.37 seconds off his previous best time, to finish ninth overall to earn one of the coveted 12 spots for Oregon. The semifinal is set for June 12.
Two more Tigers are left to compete on the final day of the East Regional. Junior Adam Bragg competes in the pole vault at noon and senior Chris Bendtsen, who already qualified in the 10k, will run in the 5k at 8:05 p.m.