ROCHESTER, NY – The Bethel University track and field squad advanced the men's 4x400m relay team to the finals of the NCAA Outdoor Championships, and Joel Smith won his heat of the 400m hurdles on Thursday evening.
Joel Smith won his heat of the 400m hurdles to earn an automatic qualifier to Saturday's final. Smith took a commanding lead in the final 70 meters, then easing up across the line running 52.39. Smith will run in the finals on Saturday at 3:15 pm Central. Jayson Ekiyor took 20th in the 400m hurdles as he ran 56.42. Ekiyor will run the 110m hurdle preliminary round on Friday at 4:00 pm.
Smith also led off the 4x400m relay at the end of the day. Along with Grant Nelson, Josh Sampson, and Jacob Parent, the Royals ran 3:12.47 to snag the final qualifying spot. Bethel will run in the finals on Saturday at 3:50 pm. Parent will run in the 400m prelims on Friday at 1:10 pm, and Sampson will join Ekiyor in the 110m hurdles prelims.Â
The women's 4x400m relay team of Kelsie Sealock, Hailey Gregg, Annessa Ihde, and Sarah Stellmach ran a season best time of 3:49.75 as they placed 10th overall. Sealock will run the 100m hurdle preliminary round on Friday at 1:00 pm, and Stellmach will run in the 400m prelims Friday at 1:20 pm. Jireh Babalola will also compete on Friday as she runs the 100m prelims at 1:40 pm.
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