Burton qualifies for NCAAs

UW photo service
Wyoming senior Kate Burton competes in the hammer throw.

By Wyoming Sports.org

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Wyoming senior Kate Burton became UW’s first entry into the NCAA Championships with a second-place finish on Friday in the hammer throw at the NCAA Regional Meet.

Burton’s second throw of 202 feet, 8 inches was the second-best throw of the day and it earned her an automatic berth in this year’s NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 11-14. Burton also competed in the discus, where she and teammate Courtney Gougler would take to the field. Burton finished 15th with a toss of 155-6, while Gougler placed 24th with her toss of 140-6.

“Kate (Burton) really came through with a clutch performance,” said UW assistant coach Paul Barrett. “She is a great competitor and is going to be tough to replace, I really look forward to her competing in Des Moines.”

Other Cowgirls in action were senior Gretchen Johnson and junior Shaylee Babbitt. Johnson ran in the 5,000-meter run, where she placed eighth with her time of 17 minutes, 22.37 seconds, just missing qualifying for the NCAA Championships. As for Babbitt, she ran a 14.07 in the 100 hurdles, good for 20th best in the region.

“Gretchen (Johnson) seemed to struggle a little towards the end of the race, but was in with the mix most of the time,” said UW head coach Don Yentes. “Shaylee just didn’t have her best stuff today and failed to qualify for the finals tomorrow.”

For the Cowboy, freshman Jeremiah James finished in eighth place in the long jump at 24-7, which was four inches from fifth place and qualifying for the NCAA Championships.

“Jeremiah had a great freshman performance today, competing on a less than perfect ankle,” said Yentes. “If we can keep him healthy, look for him to be competing here again next year.”

Senior Vashone West was the final Cowboy to compete on Friday, as he ran in the very fast 100-meter dash. Vashone ran a time of 10.74 and a 20th place finish. The leader after day one was Gerald Phiri of Texas A&M, with a time of 10.32.

On Saturday, the Cowboys will send Alan John to compete in the hammer throw and John Alderson in the triple jump.

“Alan (John) is currently ranked 16th in a very tight field and is throwing very well right now,” Barrett said. “If he comes out tomorrow and throws to his ability, he has a good chance of making it to the NCAA Championships.”

Live results are available online at www.deltatiming.com/2008_midwest_regional.aspx, with John competing at 1 p.m. and Alderson jumping at 5 p.m.