Pitt
NCAA Championships
Desmond Palmer Places Eighth in 400mH National Finals
6/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
EUGENE, Ore. -- University of Pittsburgh sophomore Desmond Palmer placed eighth in the 400 meter hurdle finals at the NCAA National Championship Meet on Friday evening at historic Hayward Field on the campus of Oregon.
After running a time of 49.97 in the national semifinals, Palmer posted a 51.57 in the finals running out of lane one.
"I didn't get out the way I wanted to and the backstretch was windy. It wasn't my best race, but I am glad I had the opportunity to run in the national finals," Palmer said. "I made progress from last year and all I can do is work my hardest and hope for the best next season."
The ACC champion had a standout sophomore campaign which resulted in First Team All-America accolades, bettering his Second Team All-America acclaim as a freshman.
Along with winning the ACC title, Palmer also established the school record twice this season, first at the Texas Relays and he then broke that time with a 49.41 in the conference title race.
After a runner-up finish at the last two championship meets, Kansas senior Michael Stigler won the title with a time of 48.84. He was followed by Jordin Andrade (Boise State), David Kendziera (Illinois), Quincy Downing (LSU), Gregory Coleman (Texas A&M), Jussi Kanervo (South Carolina), Eric Futch (Florida) and Palmer.
The University of Oregon won the men's team title. The women's team title will be decided on Saturday.
