Justin Tyner Advances to Steeplechase Final at NCAA Championships

June 8, 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa - With a ninth-place time of 8:48.54, Air Force senior Justin Tyner advanced to the national finals of the 3000-meter steeplechase during the first night of competition at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Tyner was one of three Falcons to participate during the opening day of competition (June 8).

Under hot and humid conditions at Drake Stadium, Tyner finished fifth in the opening heat of the 3000-meter steeplechase. As one of that heat's top six finishers, Tyner earned an automatic spot in Friday's national finals, as the championship heat includes the top six finishers from each semifinal heat, as well as the next two fastest times. His time of 8:48.54 was ninth among the 24 total competitors in the semifinal round.

Junior James Cole, making his first appearance at the NCAA Championships, placed 24th in the national finals of the discus throw with a toss of 164'6". Cole tallied that distance on his second throw, after recording a foul on his first attempt when he stepped out of the ring. He also fouled on his third attempt, as the disc landed out of the sector.

Battling through an extremely painful hamstring injury, senior Noah Palicia is currently in 24th place following the first five events of the decathlon. Palicia, who hasn't competed since suffering the injury in mid-April, amassed 3,145 points during the first day of competition. Palicia opened the day with a time of 11.64 in the 100-meter dash, before adding distances of 18'7" and 36'6¾" in the long jump and shot put, respectively. He added a high jump clearance of 6'0½" for his best finish of the day, before closing out the competition with a 400-meter time of 53.65.

The decathlon concludes tomorrow (June 9) with the final five events. Action begins at noon with the 110-meter hurdles. Tyner will compete in the national finals of the 3000-meter steeplechase on Friday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. (CST).

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