The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
NCAA East Preliminaries
Harley Runs In 400 Hurdles As NCAA Regional Continues
5/24/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
May 24, 2013
GREENSBORO, N.C. ----- UAB's Rachel Harley was the only Blazer to compete Friday at the NCAA East Regional Championships and the senior from Mason, Ohio failed to advance from her heat in the 400-meter hurdles.
Harley was clocked with a time of 59.64, running in the same heat as Florida's Ugonna Ndu, who posted the best time of the night at 57.08. Harley had advanced Thursday with a personal-best time of 58.76.
"Unfortunately Rachel failed to advance to the NCAA finals in Eugene," UAB head coach Kurt Thomas. "But her not running her best tonight does not speak to how good of a career she has had here at UAB and what type of student-athlete and person she is.
"She has scored at every Conference USA outdoor meet in her career, she's been All C-USA twice outdoors, is a school record holder in the distance medley relay indoors, and has been All C-USA indoors three times on the distance medley relay. There's not a harder-working person towards their goals on a day-to-day basis than Rachel. I'm very proud to have been able to coach her."
The schedule Saturday will present a busier day for UAB as the Blazers will run their 4x100-meter relay team (Kyana White, Angel Watson, Shakima Knox and Alexis Bates), as well as 1,500-meter specialist Sarah Hudak and distance runners Rhiannon Johns, Hudak and Elinor Kirk in the 5,000.
Hudak advanced to Saturday's final with a personal-best time of 4:19.31 in Thursday's 1,500 qualifying round. Johns also opened the meet in outstanding fashion as she qualified for NCAA Nationals at Eugene, Ore. in the 10,000-meter run.
"We have a big day tomorrow with the 4x100m relay who has a good chance to advance," said Thomas. "then Sarah has a great opportunity to advance in the 1500m, and Rhi, Eli and Sarah again in the 5,000m. We have lots of opportunities tomorrow and I'm confident the ladies are ready."
Saturday, May 25
5:00 p.m. -(Kyana White, Angel Watson, Shakima Knox, Alexis Bates, 400-meter relay
5:30 p.m. - Sarah Hudak, 1,500-meter run
7:05 p.m. - Rhiannon Johns, Sarah Hudak, Elinor Kirk, 5,000-meter run
Times listed are CT
