Women's Track and Field qualifies five for quarterfinals on day one of NCAA West Prelims

May 26, 2011

EUGENE, Ore. - The University of Texas Women's Track and Field team secured one spot in the NCAA Championship while advancing five to the quarterfinal heats on the first day of the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds held at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.

Senior Chantel Malone punched her ticket to the national championship in the long jump for the third-straight year after finishing second overall with a mark of 20-10 (6.35m).

Texas boasted two qualifiers for the 400m quarterfinals in sophomore Kendra Chambers and freshman Briana Nelson. Chambers won her heat in 53.87 for sixth overall, while Nelson clocked a 54.01 to finish second in her heat and ninth overall. The 400m quarterfinals are set for 5:50 p.m. Central time on Friday.

In the 400m hurdles, freshman Danielle Dowie recorded a 58.54 for the ninth-best time overall, securing her a spot in Friday's quarterfinal, which will be run at 7:20 p.m. CT.

Sophomore Chalonda Goodman, competing in her first NCAA Preliminary Rounds, qualified for the 100m quarterfinals after finishing second in her heat with a time of 11.56. The 100m quarters will be run at 6:20 p.m. CT on Friday.

In the 1,500m, redshirt senior Betzy Jimenez earned a spot in the quarterfinals with her season-best time of 4:22.44 for the third-fastest time overall. She will look to qualify for the semifinals at 3:30 p.m. CT on Saturday.

The 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships will be held June 8-11 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. The top 12 from each of the quarterfinals at the West Preliminary Rounds will advance to the national meet.

Texas continues competition on Friday, starting at 5:15 p.m. with Chantel Malone in the triple jump.

TEXAS' RESULTS (!-personal best, a-advanced to next round)

100m First Round

12. Chalonda Goodman, 11.56a

400m hurdles First Round

8. Danielle Dowie, 58.54a

400m First Round

6. Kendra Chambers, 53.87a

9. Briana Nelson, 54.01a

1,500m First Round

3. Betzy Jimenez, 4:22.44a - season best

47. Julie Amthor, 4:43.18