NEB TF: Huskers Close Week with 19 NCAA Championship Bids

Nebraska track and field qualified four more athletes to the NCAA Championships on Saturday, bringing the total to 19 after four days at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Fayetteville, Ark. Two athletes earned their first-career NCAA qualification, while two added to their collection of bids today.

Kalynn Meyer will make her NCAA Championship debut in two weeks after throwing a personal-best 190-0 (57.92m) in the discus to finish sixth. Amelia Flynt was the first athlete out, placing 13th with a personal-best 182-6 (55.63m).

Jenna Rogers secured her sixth NCAA bid in the high jump with a clearance of 6-0 ½ (1.84m). That height put Rogers at fifth place. From Rutherford, N.J., Rogers has finished nationals with First-Team All-America honors four times. Brooklyn Miller made it over 5-7 ¼ (1.71m) to tie for 27th.

Rhianna Phipps and Ashley McElmurry added bids in the triple jump, finishing eighth and ninth. To earn her fifth-career NCAA bid, Phipps hit a wind-aided 44-10 1/4 (13.67m) on her final jump, after improving each attempt. McElmurry jumped the fifth-best mark in school history (44-8 3/4, 13.63m), earning a spot at her first NCAA Championship meet. 

Johanna Ilves finished in line with her 100m hurdles quarterfinals seed, taking 18th with a wind-aided time of 13.26. Taya Skelton posted a top-20 finish in the 3000m steeplechase, covering the track in 10:29.31. 

Overall, the Huskers have six javelin throwers, four triple jumpers, two high jumpers, two shot put throwers, one discus thrower, one hammer thrower, one long jumper, one hurdler and one sprinter represented at Hayward Field.

The Huskers that earned bids will travel to Eugene, Ore. for the NCAA Outdoor Championships June 5-8.

Nebraska NCAA Qualifiers
Kalynn Meyer, Discus
Jenna Rogers, High Jump
Rhianna Phipps, Triple Jump
Ashley McElmurry, Triple Jump
Rhema Otabor, Javelin
Mirta Kulisic, Javelin
Eniko Sara, Javelin
Emanuela Casadei, Javelin
Hillevi Carlsson, Hammer Throw
Axelina Johansson, Shot Put
Velecia Williams, Long Jump
Kevin Shubert, Shot Put
Dash Sirmon, Javelin
Tyler Brown, Javelin
Garrett Kaalund, 200m
Darius Luff, 110m Hurdles
Tyus Wilson, High Jump
Terrol Wilson, Triple Jump
Micaylon Moore, Triple Jump