IU athletes compete in USA championships

Ten IU track and field athletes competed this past weekend in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The meet, held this year in the historic track town of Eugene, Ore., featured top competitors from around the country vying for a spot on the team that will travel to Daegu, South Korea for the World Championships at the end of August.

In the senior championships, juniors Andrew Poore and De’Sean Turner led the Hoosiers with top-ten finishes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final.

Poore finished seventh with a time of 8:43.95, while Turner grabbed the 10th spot in 8:46.46.

Senior Sarah Pease competed in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, recording a time of 10:15.18.

She did not advance to the second round, but her time was good for 23rd place overall.

In the field, senior Faith Sherrill’s toss of 15.98 meters was good for 14th place in the shot put.

Pole vaulter senior Vera Neuenswander finished ninth with a clearance of 4.20 meters.  
Sophomore Kelsie Ahbe did not make the opening height.

Senior Devin Pipkin and junior Kind Butler were the only IU sprinters competing. Pipkin finished the prelims of the 100 meter in 10.42, good for 28th overall.

Butler right behind him in 29th place and clocking in at 10.43. Neither athlete advanced to the next round.

In the junior championships, Taja Moore’s discus toss of 46.64 meters  earned her fifth place, the highest finish of any Hoosier in Eugene.

The top three competitors in each event advance to Daegu.

Also competing in the junior meet was freshman Hale O’Herren, whose 3:57.39 in the 1,500 meter was the 13th fastest time in the prelims. He did not advance to the next round.