Tyriq Horsford of Mississippi State University booked his spot in the finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Administration (NCAA) Division One (D1) Outdoor Championships after he finished ninth in the men’s javelin of the East Regionals in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday evening.
The five-time Carifta Games champion was the first T&T athlete in action and secured his name in the startlist for the medal round with his 71.25-metre effort in group three in the men’s javelin first round. Horsford of local club Zenith, finished ninth in his group. However, his throw held up as he ninth best overall among the 48 competitors.
The Parlatuvier-born athlete has earned his third trip to the NCAA Finals. He was fourth in 2021 and third in 2019. The 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist did not participate in the 2022 East Regionals, due to injury.
Pittsburgh's Clement Campbell (Memphis Pioneers) finished in 24th in the men’s long jump with a 7.38m wind-assisted effort. He missed on qualifying for the NCAA Finals as only the top 12 advanced.
In the West Regionals in Sacramento, California, the Minnesota trio of Kion Benjamin (Memphis Pioneers), Carlon Hosten (Abilene Wildcats) and Devin Augustine (Point Fortin New Jets) qualified for the men’s 100m quarterfinals set for Friday (May 26).
Benjamin was third-quickest in the first round with 10.20 after he won heat one. Hosten was 17th-fastest with his 10.36-clocking to finish fourth in heat five. Augustine was just behind in 18th after he also ran 10.36 to take third spot in heat four.
Augustine and Hosten also secured lanes in the 200m quarterfinals. In the 200m first round held later in the evening, Augustine sped to the fourth-swiftest time of 20.44. He was second in heat six. Hosten ran the 11th-best clocking of the round posting 20.59 to take fifth position in heat two. The 200m quarterfinals are set for Friday also.
Leroy Russell III (Arkansas) was hoping follow on the success of his compatriots in the men’s 800m first round. However, Russell was 31st in 1:50.21, missing on a top 12 placing to move on the 800m quarterfinals.
The women was to hold centrestage Thursday (May 25).
At the East Regionals, Leah Bertrand (Ohio/Simplex) is in the 100m first round and will be seeking to finish in the top 24 to guarantee a lane in the quarterfinals on Saturday (May 27).
Alabama/Toco TAFAC thrower Cherisse Murray is among the starters in the women’s shot put. Murray will be out of finish among the top 12 to advance to the NCAA Finals in June 7-10.
In the West Regionals, Akilah Lewis (Minnesota/Concorde) will be seeking to match her Minnesota school-mates and be among the top 24 in the women’s 100m first round, to sail through to the quarterfinals.
The NCAA East and West Regionals continue until Saturday (May 27).
The 2023 NCAA Division One Track and Field Championships are carded for Austin, Texas from June 7-10.
T&T athletes results
East Round One
Men’s javelin first round- 9th Tyriq Horsford (Mississippi State/Zenith) 71.25
Men’s long jump first round -24th Clement Campbell (Pittsburgh/Memphis Pioneers) 7.38w
West Round One
Men’s 100m first round - 3rd Kion Benjamin (Minnesota/Memphis Pioneers) 10.20; 17th Carlon Hosten (Minnesota/Abilene Wildcats) 10.36; 18th Devin Augustine (Minnesota/Pt.Fortin New Jets) 10.36
200m first round - 4th Augustine 20.44; 11th Hosten 20.59
800m first round - 31st Leroy Russell III (Arkansas) 1:50.21
Upcoming events
East Round One
Day Two Thursday (May 25)
100m First Round: (Leah Bertrand (Ohio State/Simplex)
Shot out-Cherisse Murray (Alabama/Toco TAFAC)
Day Three Friday (May 26)
Discus First Round: Jaden James (LSU/Fatima)
4x100m First Round: Pittsburgh (Clement Campbell/Memphis Pioneers)
4x400m First Round: LSU (Shakeem Mc Kay/Abilene Wildcats)
WEST Round One
Day Two - Thursday (May 25)
100m-Akilah Lewis (Minnesota/Concorde)
Day Three - Friday (May 26)
High jump First Round: Aaron Antoine (Kansas State/Neon Wolves)
100m Quarterfinals: Kion Benjamin (Minnesota/Memphis Pioneers); Devin
Augustine (Minnesota/Pt. Fortin New Jets); Carlon Hosten (Minnesota/Abilene
Wildcats)
4x100m First Round: Minnesota (Hosten, Augustine, Benjamin)
4x400m First Round: Minneosta (Hosten, Benjamin, Augustine, Jayden
Antoine/Neon Wolves); Illinois (Kashief King/Pt. Fortin New Jets)