Hedengren, Hutchins secure NCAA Championships berths in 10,000m

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jane Hedengren and Jenna Hutchins took first and eighth in the 10,000-meter semifinal to advance to the NCAA Championships at the NCAA West Preliminary Round on Thursday at John McDonnell Field.

After setting the NCAA record in the event at the Stanford Invitational, Hedengren made her second attempt at the 10,000m and clocked a 31:27.30 to win and set a new John McDonnell Field facility record. The freshman led for the entire race, but New Mexico’s Pamela Kosgei made a move on the final lap to take the lead before Hedengren pulled ahead at the line. Hutchins crossed in 32:30.50. It is the first time since 2001 that the Cougars have earned two 10,000m NCAA Championship spots.

Both Kali McEuen and Zoey Bonds advanced to Saturday’s 100m hurdles quarterfinal after clocking 13.18 and 13.30 to take eighth and 15th, respectively. McEuen finished second in her heat to earn an automatic qualifier, while Bonds advanced as one of the next best six finishers. The duo will race for a spot at the NCAA Championships at 5:15 p.m. MST on Saturday.

McEuen will also compete in the 400m hurdles quarterfinal at 6:25 p.m. MST on Saturday after running a 57.34, which placed third in her heat and 15th overall.

Paje Rasmussen clocked an 11.37 to automatically qualify for the 100m quarterfinal after taking second in her heat. The junior later ran a 23.25 in the 200m to earn a spot in the 200m quarterfinal. Rasmussen will return to the track at 5:35 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. MST on Saturday in attempts to reach the NCAA Championships.

Carmen Alder, Carlee Hansen-Thompson and Zariel Macchia will all line up for the 1500m quarterfinal Saturday at 4:15 p.m. MST. The trio took first, third and 16th across the four heats. Alder led the way with a 4:11.81, with Hansen-Thompson less than a second behind her. Macchia closed with the fastest final lap in her heat, running a 1:02.58 over the final 400m.

Tessa Buswell and Krystie Solomon-Jensen each punched their tickets to Saturday’s quarterfinal in the 800m at 6:05 p.m. MST. Solomon-Jensen clocked a 2:03.38 and Buswell a 2:04.14, with both earning automatic qualifiers. The New Zealand native also added a new personal record in the process.