Jaci Smith, Shelley Spires Advance to NCAA Finals

May 25, 2018

Results | NCAA West Preliminary, Thursday

SACRAMENTO, Calif. â€" Air Force junior Jaci Smith shattered the Academy record in the 10,000-meter run this evening (May 25), as she and senior Shelley Spires punched their tickets to the finals of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The pair, which finished within the top 12 of their respective events at the NCAA West Prelim, were two of eight Falcons to compete today in Sacramento.

Smith capped the Falcons' first day of West Preliminary action in stellar fashion, as she posted a career-best 10,000-meter time of 32:28.15 to finish fifth out of 48 runners â€" and crush the previous Academy record by 19 seconds. The junior made her way into the lead pack of 11 runners shortly after the gun and stayed with the tightly-packed main group as it distanced itself from the rest of the field by more than 100 meters. With a spot in the finals secured, Smith picked off several runners of the lead group during the final lap to finish fifth in the overall standings.

Spires advanced to the national high jump finals for the second time in as many years after matching the best overall clearance of the day at 5'10¾". Spires, who passed on the first two bars, entered the competition at 5'8¾" and easily cleared that bar on her first attempt. The senior bettered the 5'10¾" bar on her second attempt and easily advanced to the finals in Eugene with that mark, as only 10 jumpers made that clearance. Although preliminary competition is stopped once the 12 finalists have been determined, Spires finished the day tied for fourth in the overall field of 48.

On the men's side, junior Mickey Davey and senior Andrew Johnston finished 17th (29:32.57) and 36th (30:10.47), respectively, in the 10,000-meter run, while sophomore Connor Stevens, competing in his first NCAA West Preliminary meet, finished 29th in the pole vault with a clearance of 15'11".

Three first-round races were also contested today at Hornet Stadium, with senior Carina Gillespie earning an advancing finish in the 1500-meter run. Clocking a time of 4:23.43 to take fourth in her heat, Gillespie earned an automatic spot in Saturday's second round. With that time â€" her third-fastest of the season â€" the senior placed 17th in the overall field of 48.

Seniors Chip White and Tyler Koss also competed in first-round events today, with both finishing sixth in their respective 400-meter races. White clocked a time of 52.21 to place 33rd overall in the 400-meter hurdles, while Koss finished 45th in the 400-meter dash with a time of 48.60.

The Falcons continue action at the NCAA West Preliminary tomorrow (May 25). Action begins for Air Force at 4:30 p.m. (PT), with the women's pole vault and opening round of the 110-meter hurdles.

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