Three Big West Athletes Head to Finals of Respective Events During Day One of NCAA Championships

Links associated with this release:
2009 NCAA Championships Central

Cal State Northridge's Reindell Cole advanced to the finals of the long jump at the NCAA Championships after posting a school-record effort.

In a day that brought severe weather to the Fayetteville, Ark., area, three Big West track & field athletes advanced to the finals of their events during the first day of competition at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The national meet is being held at John McDonnell Field on the campus of the University of Arkansas.

Cal Poly's Julie Dufresne was one of the athletes to head to the finals in her event as a 10th place showing in the shot put (52-6.75) solidified her place in the championship round.

Cal State Fullerton's Jonathan Golden just missed qualifying for the finals in the high jump as he cleared 6-8.75, just behind the top 14 competitors who all cleared 6-10.75 on the bar.

Cal State Northridge saw Reindell Cole break his own school record in the long jump during Wednesday's action. Cole had the top jump of the day at 26-11.25, easily moving into Thursdays final. De'Shawn Waters was in competition in the 100 but did not advance to the final after running a 10.66 to finish 27th overall, while Stephanie Ralls suffered the same fate in the women’s javelin after finishing in 20th overall (149-5).

CSUN’s women's 4x100 meter relay team of Precious Watkins, Sherrina Lofton, Dominique Calvin and Shelese Ruffin finished fourth in heat four and 11th overall in a season-best time of 44.59. Northridge finished just two spots out of qualifying for the event final.

Long Beach State's Kenneth Medwood just missed out on qualifying for the semifinal in the 400 hurdles as he finished 21st overall after finishing in 51.02. The top 18 finishers advanced to the semifinals Thursday.

UC Irvine's Lauren Collins put together a solid first day in the long jump as she advanced to the finals of the national championship competition. Collins was one of 15 jumpers who cleared 5-9.75 during the prelims with the finals slated for Friday. Alisha Misiaita also competed for UCI Wednesday, but could not advance to the finals of the shot put after an effort of 48-6 put her in 26th.