Pitt
NCAA Regional Championships
NCAA Tickets Punched: Palmer and Thompson Qualify for Eugene
5/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Junior Evann Thompson in the women's 400 meter hurdles and sophomore Desmond Palmer in the men's 400 meter hurdles both qualified for the NCAA National Championship Meet on Friday night at Hodges Stadium on the campus of North Florida.
Both took different avenues to punch their tickets to Eugene as Thompson earned an automatic berth by placing second her heat, while Palmer had a sub-par race and was fourth in his heat. He grabbed one of the final three "Next fastest" times after the nine automatic qualifiers.
"With the format of this meet, it doesn't matter what you did last month, last week or even yesterday. It is all about surviving and advancing to the next round," head coach Alonzo Webb said. "For that reason, this meet is the great equalizer -- who can handle the pressure and expectations.
"Evann ran a conservative race and in doing so was able to run her fastest time of the season. Desmond on the other hand, didn't perform as expected but is so talented that he managed to survive and advance. Having the nation's third fastest time coming into this meet was an extra burden for him to bear."
Thompson ran a season-best 57.02 out of lane eight in the opening heat of the women's 400MH. Kendra Harrison of Kentucky ran away with the heat in a time of 55.05, but Thompson had a solid race from start to finish and held off Auburn's Sashel Brown who posted a 57.34 and finished third. Thompson ran the sixth fastest time of the three heats overall.
Thompson will make a return trip to Eugene and looks to improve upon her Honorable Mention All-American status from last year.
After placing fourth in heat two, Palmer had to wait for heat three to finish to determine his NCAA fate. When heat three was over, Palmer could exhale when he claimed the 11th of 12 qualifying spots. Palmer ran a 51.05, and despite not having his best effort, he made his way to Eugene and still claims the nation's third fastest time of 49.41 which he ran at the ACC Championship Meet.
Palmer was a Second Team All-American in the 400MH as a freshman and will be considered one of the favorites to win the national title in Eugene this year.
Earlier in the afternoon, sophomore Ethan Shalaway and senior Andrew Wells competed in the men's javelin and the men's discus.
After two fouls, Shalaway's third and final throw went a distance of 56.71m which was well under his personal-best and placed him 43rd overall.
Wells also waited until his third and final throw to have his top distance of the day. His last attempt went 50.63m and that placed him 43rd overall as well.
The Panthers conclude action at the NCAA East Preliminary Meet tomorrow with Haley Springman in the women's hammer throw, Imani Brown in the men's triple jump and the men's 4x400 meter relay team.
