Indiana University Athletics
Batemon Punches Ticket to NCAA Championships
5/29/2015 10:15:00 AM | Track and Field
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Junior Terry Batemon qualified for the NCAA Championships in the pole vault on the second day of competition at the NCAA East Prelim Friday on the campus of North Florida.
Batemon passed at the opening height of 4.85m (15-11) and successfully cleared 5.00m (16-4.75) and 5.15m (16-10.75) on his second attempt.
With 18 competitors remaining and the top-12 advancing to the NCAA Championships the bar went up to 5.25m (17-2.75). Batemon again missed his first attempt, but collected himself for his second attempt and ran down the runway and vaulted up and over the height to secure his place for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
"I had a lot of confidence coming into the meet based on my previous success," Batemon said. "I wasn't worried about anyone else, I just knew I had to focus on myself and be prepared to compete. I feel like I've made great strides this season and I'm excited to compete at the NCAA Championships."
Brianna Johnson set a career-best in the 3,000m steeplechase. Johnson finished in 10:15.83, now the fifth fastest time in IU school history.
The final day of the NCAA East Prelim from the campus of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the women's hammer throw and IU's Nakel McClinton. McClinton comes in with a mark of 60.81m, which she set at the Billy Hayes Invitational and is an IU school record.
Other Hoosiers in action tomorrow will be Rorey Hunter in the 1,500m quarterfinals (6:45 p.m.) and Matthew Schwartzer and Owen Skeete in the 5,000m semifinals (8:45 p.m.).
