Three Falcons Advance Out of Opening Day at West Prelim

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Darek Hackett clocked the second-fastest 400-meter hurdles time in Academy history this evening as 10 members of the men's track and field team opened competition at the West Preliminary of the NCAA Outdoor Championships today (May 24) in Sacramento.

AIR FORCE TOP-10 MARKS
No. 2 – Darek Hackett, 400-Meter Hurdles (50.76)

Hackett raced to a career-best 50.76 in the 400-meter hurdles, placing third in his heat to earn an Auto bid into the West final and move into No. 2 on the Academy's all-time standings. Recording the program's fastest intermediate hurdles time since 2003, Hackett finished 13th – 11 spots above his entry seed – in the full 48-runner event and reset an Air Force Sophomore Class Record that had stood since 1992.

The sophomore was one of three Falcons to advance out of the opening day of the West Preliminary on Wednesday – with all three runners capturing Automatic qualifying marks. Senior Cameron Harris recorded a time of 13.77 to finish second in his heat (13th overall) and gain a Big Q into the regional final of the 110-meter hurdles, while junior Sean Maison placed within the top five of his 1500-meter heat (3:50.43, 38th overall) to earn an Auto bid into the regional final of that event.

In the night's only running final, senior Ryan Johnson clocked a 28:52.55 to finish 21st for 10,000 meters.

Air Force was represented in all three of the regional throwing finals contested on Wednesday – with all three athletes finishing above their entry seeds. Sophomore Joe Nizich led the trio as he recorded a season-best javelin throw of 213'6" to hold the lead after the first flight and finish 21st overall – a placement 13 spots above his entry mark. Senior Jaret Prete finished 22nd in the hammer throw (seeded 28th) after recording a throw of 207'8", while classmate Hayden Bullock, who will return Friday for the discus throw, posted a shot put distance of 59'3" to finish 26th and better his entry seed by nine spots.

Three other Falcons also competed during Wednesday's opening rounds. Junior Caiden Macktinger was unable to clear his opening bar in the pole vault, while sophomore Javin Bostic finished 39th in the 100-meter dash (10.53) and classmate Cameron Breier took 45th in the 400-meter hurdles (54.60).

While the men return to action at Hornet Stadium on Friday (May 26) for the next round of competition at the NCAA West Preliminary, junior Ava Gilliana will represent the women's team tomorrow (May 25) in the opening round of the 800-meter run at 7:50 p.m. (PT).

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