Kansas track athletes punch tickets for NCAA Championships in June

photo by: Kansas Athletics

KU junior Zach Bradford celebrates during the Jayhawks' home meet on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022.

Kansas pole vaulters Zach Bradford and Clayton Simms posted qualifying marks for the NCAA Outdoor Championships on day one of the NCAA West Preliminary in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Wednesday.

Bradford, of Bloomington, Illinois, qualified for his third-career NCAA Outdoor Championship with a clearance of 5.39m (17-8.25 ft.), which won him the West Regional. Simms, a freshman out of Watson, Louisiana, earned the chance to compete in his first NCAA Outdoor Championship by clearing 5.29m (17-4.25).

Kansas sophomore Michael Joseph advanced to the quarterfinal in the men’s 400 meters on Wednesday. Running in lane three, Joseph ran a strong race to finish in 46.17 seconds and earn an auto-qualifying spot in his heat. Joseph will race in the 400 meter quarterfinal on Friday at 6:50 p.m. with a spot at the NCAA Championships on the line.

In the men’s shot put, junior Patrick Larrison neared a personal best with a throw of 18.44m (60-6 ft.), which placed him 24th overall. Sophomore Oleg Klykov placed 28th in the men’s hammer throw with a toss of 61.87m (203-0 ft.).

Kansas was back in action on Thursday night and the Jayhawks will continue to post qualifying marks at the NCAA West Preliminary throughout the weekend.

KU is represented by 27 individuals in 17 events during the four-day preliminary event.

Among the Jayhawks in action on the women’s team are: Mariah Kuykendoll (400 meters, 4×400 relay), Honour Finley (800 meters, 4×400 relay), Ahmya McKeithan (4×400 relay), Satanya Wright (4×400 relay), Anna Siemens (4×400 relay), Lona Latema (3,000-meter steeplechase), Rylee Anderson (high jump), Kennedy Doakes (high jump), Khristen Bryant (pole vault), Samantha Van Hoecke (pole vault), Taylor Starkey (pole vault), Gabby Hoke (pole vault) and Alexandra Emilianov (discus, shot put).

Joining Bradford, Sims and Joseph on the men’s side for KU are: AJ Green (800 meters), Devin Loudermilk (high jump), Kyle Rogers (pole vault), Jake Freidel (pole vault), Andrew Saloga (pole vault), Tyler Pride (long jump), George Jackson (long jump), Jaden Patterson (triple jump), Patrick Larrison (shot put, discus), George Evans (discus), Oleg Klykov (hammer throw).

Athletes with the top 12 times/marks and the best 12 relay teams at both the East and West Preliminary Rounds sites will qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 8-12.

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