Almost all of the Oregon women’s athletes advanced past the first day of preliminaries Wednesday at the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif.
Javelin thrower Rachel Yurkovich placed eighth with her best throw of 160 feet, 3 inches. The leader, Anna Raynor of UNC-Wilmington, threw 176-05. Yurkovich, who was in danger of not qualifying until her final throw, advances to the final Friday at 1:15 p.m.
In the 800 meters, Sara Schaaf earned third place in the first of four heats in 2 minutes, 6.36 seconds. Teammate Rebekah Noble won the fourth heat in 2:06.37. Noble’s top competition, Heather Dorniden of Minnesota and Geena Gall of Michigan, ran first (2:06.17) and second (2:05.31) in their respective heats. Schaaf and Noble advance to today’s 800 semifinals at 4:50 p.m.
Lauryn Jordan fouled twice in the long jump and finished 21st (19-10 3/4) – well short of the top-12 finish needed to advance.
Britney Henry and Brittany Hinchcliffe open Oregon women’s events today at 11 a.m. with the hammer throw. Kasey Harwood races in the 400-meter hurdles at 4:10 p.m., Emily Enders in the pole vault at 4:30 p.m. and Amber McGown in the 1,500 at 6 p.m.