Justin Tyner Qualifies to Steeplechase Finals at the USATF Championships
6/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
June 23, 2011
EUGENE, Ore. - Air Force All-American Justin Tyner qualified for the finals of the 3000-meter steeplechase during the first day of competition at the 2011 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Thursday, June 23. Tyner was one of three athletes with connections to the Air Force program to compete in today's action.
With a time of 8:46.43, Tyner finished seventh in the first of two semifinal heats of the 3000-meter steeplechase, earning a spot in the finals based on time. The top five finishers from each heat earned an automatic spot in the finals, as did the next four fastest times. Tyner, who is coming off of a first-team All-America finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships earlier this month, finished 13th overall and will return to the track at Historic Hayward Field for the event finals on Saturday, June 25, at 2:14 p.m. (PST).
Matthew Williams, a 2009 Academy graduate and running as a member of the Air Force World Class Athlete Program, placed 22nd in the steeplechase with a time of 9:04.54.
In addition, Jenny Simpson, a volunteer coach for the Falcons' program who trains with distance coach Juli Benson, earned an automatic qualification to the national finals of the 1500-meter run, winning the first semifinal heat with a time of 4:14.20. Simpson will compete in the 14-member final on Saturday at 2:33 p.m.
Air Force continues action tomorrow (June 24) at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, when rising senior Bryce Bergman will compete in the first round of the 400-meter hurdles at 6:30 p.m. (PST).
Players Mentioned
