FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Utah Valley University made program history on Thursday with both
Everlyn Kemboi and
Hannah Branch earning trips to the NCAA Championship 10k finals with their performance at John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas.
The two will represent the first female participants from UVU to qualify for an NCAA Track & Field final. The duo, combined with
Aaron Johnson's qualification in the long jump on Wednesday, also give the Wolverine program multiple NCAA Championship participants for the first time. The championships will be June 8-10 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Kemboi finished fifth despite tripping and falling with just over two laps to go. She recovered quickly and finished with a time of 33:42.57. Branch earned the 12th and final spot with a time of 34:00.23 and fought down the stretch to earn her berth.
"I'm feeling so happy," said Kemboi. "I cannot even believe it but I'm so happy for myself, for my school, our coaches, and all the support that they've given us…. for believing in me and that I could do it."
"I thought I was 14th and I was just thought, I could either give up right now and be disappointed in myself or I can fight as hard as I can, and whatever happens I'll walk away like happy as long as I fought," said Branch. "I just laid on the track when I finished and I was just like please be 12th, please be 12th… and thank goodness I fought."
Mazzie Melaney Preston finished 19th and did not qualify for the finals, but all three of the 10k competitors are set to compete on Saturday night for a chance to reach the 5,000-meter finals in Eugene. That semifinal race consists of two heats and will begin at 8:10 p.m. CT.
Taylor Viertel was also in action on Thursday, competing in the 1,500-meter race. She placed 11th in her heat and 38th overall.
Two Wolverine men will be in action on Friday, with
Seth Krauss competing in the high jump. That event begins and 2:30 p.m. CT and Krauss is in the second of two 24-person flights.
Adam Bunker will race in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, which is scheduled to begin at 5:40 p.m. CT. Bunker is in the second of three flights in that competition.
