Sean Strauman Secures Spot at Nationals; Chris Gardner, Nicole Blaesser Provisionally Qualify

Complete WVU Track Results
Complete WVU Field Results

Sean Strauman secured a spot at the NCAA Division II meet in the 800 meters while Nicole Blaesser and Chris Gardner earned provisional qualifications in meets held over the weekend.

Strauman had a time of 1:51.97 while placing third at the Akron Open on Saturday to lower his national qualifying time and set a new school record. 

Also at Akron, Blaesser posted a time of 17:47.58 in the 5000 while Gardner had a winning leap of  23-3 1/4 in the long jump at the Shell Games hosted by West Virginia to climb into contention for a berth to nationals.

Gardner also tied for first place in the high jump, clearing the bar at 6-6.  Eric Kruttschnitt was an event winner in the mile at WVU with a time of 4:21.27.

Justin Udo crossed second in both the 55 meters (6.58) and 200 meters (23.76).  Alec Rice was second in the pole vault (14-3), and Brian Reed was the runner-up in the 55 meter hurdles (8.13).

In the women’s competition at WVU, Lahnor Ridley won the long jump (17-3) and was second in the triple jump (37-2 3/4).  Gretchen Colwell took first in the weight throw (49-4) and was second in the shot put (39-7). 

Jess Moyer tied for first in the pole vault (10-0), and Casie Williams was second in the long jump (17-1) and the high jump (5-0).

Jermaine Clayton joined Strauman and Blaesser as a standout at Akron.  He was fifth in the 60 meters (6.97) and fourth in the triple jump (46-0).