News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
FAYETTEVILLE – Texas A&M track & field’s Heather Abadie and Lianna Davidson punched their tickets to the NCAA Championships in the pole vault and javelin, respectively, on the second day of the NCAA West First Round Thursday at John McDonnell Field.
Davidson secured the first ticket to nationals of the day, as she finished third in the women’s javelin. The junior recorded a mark of 56.89m/186-7 on her first attempt which held as her best throughout all three throws.
Also booking her ticket to Eugene was Abadie in the pole vault. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native totaled six attempts across four heights, culminating in a clearance of 4.30m/14-1.25 to qualify for the first outdoor national meet of her career.
The Aggie women secured seven advancing spots to Saturday’s quarterfinals, kickstarted by Jaiya Covington in the 100m hurdles. The sophomore stepped up to the plate running her second-fastest time of the season, as she crossed the line in 12.96 for second in her heat and ninth overall.
Next up was the 100m duo of Camryn Dickson and Semira Killebrew, as the pair secured auto-qualification spots as they both finished third in their heats. The Maroon & White pair clocked wind-assisted times of 11.12 and 11.15, respectively. Dickson also secured a quarterfinals spot in the 200m where she ran a career-best time of 22.66 which moved her up to No. 7 on the A&M all-time performers list.
In the 400m, Jermaisha Arnold paced the A&M contingent, placing second in her heat and ninth overall in 51.73, while Jaydan Wood matched her second-best time this season of 52.54 to claim the fourth-fastest non-auto qualifying time of the event to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinal.
Nissi Kabongo booked the final advancing spot of the day in the women’s 400m hurdles, crossing the line in 57.28 for second in her heat and eighth overall.
Up Next
The Aggies return to John McDonnell Field tomorrow for the third day of the NCAA West First Round, as the men look to book the remainder of their tickets to the National Championships.
To learn more about Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country, visit 12thMan.com and follow @aggietfxc.