#By BRENT STUBBS
#Senior Sports Reporter
#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
#AFTER missing out on the opportunity to advance in the men’s 100 metres, Terrence Jones made sure he secured his berth into the final of the 200m at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Outdoor Championships.
#On day one of the four-day meet at the University of Texas’ Mike A Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas, the Texas Tech junior clocked a personal best of 20.03 seconds for second place in his heat and seventh overall to clinch one of the nine spots in the final today when he will run out lane nine.
#PJ Austin, a senior at Florida, posted the fastest qualifying time of 9.89.
#Jones, a native of Grand Bahama, also contested the 100m where he placed fourth in his heat in 10.06, for 11th place overall, denying him an opportunity to compete in the sprint double final.
#Earlier this year, Jones posted another lifetime best when he tied Derrick Atkins’ Bahamian national record of 9.91 that had been established with a silver medal at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan in 2007.
#The ninth and final spot was timed in 10.04 by Udodi Onwuzurike, a sophomore at Stanford, while Austin assured himself of a chance for the double threat by turning in the fastest qualifying time again. This time in 9.89.
#Jones’ teammate, freshman Antoine Andrews in his debut at the championships, placed seventh in his heat for 22nd place overall in 14.30.
#Wanya McCoy, who missed out in advancing to the championships in their regional competition two weeks ago, got a chance to help Clemson clinch their berth in one of two finals of the relays today.
#In the 4 x 100m, McCoy and Jones clashed on the final legs for their respective teams in the same heat. While Jones and Texas Tech took the tape in 38.20, McCoy and Clemson came in third in 38.72. However, Texas Tech moved on with the second fastest time, while Clemson fell short in 11th place. Louisiana State University had the fastest qualifying time of 38.06.
#McCoy then ran the lead off leg for Clemson as their 4 x 400m relay team booked their ticket to the final today. Their time of 2:59.78 for second in their heat placed them fifth overall. Florida had the fastest qualifying time in a faculty and meet record with a time of 2:58.62.
#Also in competition today will be Shaun Miller Jr of Ohio State. He was one of the 24 competitors competing in the men’s high jump final. He has a season’s best of 7-feet, 2 1/2-inches or 2.20m and a personal best of 7-3 3/4 (2.23m).
#The women’s semifinal events were set for Thursday with the rights to advance to Saturday’s finals when the meet concludes.
#Among those who were expected to compete are Nebraska’s junior Rhema Otabor in the javelin; Tennessee’s senior Charisma Taylor in the 100m hurdles and both the long and triple jumps; Kentucky’s freshman Anthaya Charlton in the 100m and Tennessee’s freshman Javonya Valcourt in the 400m.
#Megan Moss is also expected to run a leg on Kentucky’s 4 x 400m relay team.
