June 6, 2012
Wesh qualifies for final of 100 meters on day one of NCAA Championship
Sophomore resets own school record in 100 and runs on school record 4x100 meter relay
  • Florida State
NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship

Meet Central

Live Results

Day One Men's Results (.html) | Day One Women's Results (.html)

DES MOINES, Iowa – Sophomore Darrell Wesh reset his own school record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.15 seconds en route to qualifying for the final and ran on the school record setting and 13th place 4x100 meter relay team (39.62) as the Virginia Tech track & field team opened up competition Wednesday on day one of the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Drake Stadium.

Wesh won heat one of the semifinals of the 100 meters to automatically claim a spot in Friday's final. It marked the second straight meet Wesh ran a personal best and school record time in the event as he also clocked 10.18 at the NCAA East Preliminary Round two weeks ago in Jacksonville.

"I actually felt like I had a slow start, but my acceleration came out and I'm real happy about that," said Wesh of his 100 meter race. "I know I have to get a better start in the final on Friday, but I'm looking forward the competition."

Also in the 100 meters, senior Keith Ricks was sixth in the first heat and 19th overall in 10.27.

The men's 4x100 meter relay team of junior Jeff Artis-Gray, Wesh, junior Jonathan McCants and Ricks notched a school record time of 39.62 and finished fifth in heat one, 13th overall. The quartet's 39.62 clocking was more than three tenths of a second faster than their previous school record of 39.95, set at the ACC Championship.

In the field events, Artis-Gray finished 13th in the long jump after hitting a mark of 24-6.5 (7.48m) on his first attempt.

Freshman Martina Schultze placed in a tie for 13th in the pole vault with a mark of 13-7.25 (4.15m). Schultze began her competition with a second attempt make at the opening bar of 12-9.5 (3.90m). She then went over the 13-3.5 (4.05m) bar on her first attempt, before clearing 13-7.25 (4.15m) on her third try. After passing at 13-9.25 (4.20m), Schultze faltered at 13-11.25 (4.25m).

With their 13th place finishes, Artis-Gray, Schultze, and the men's 4x100 meter relay are all in line to earn second team All-America honors. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) will officially announce All-America honors Monday.

In Tech's final event of the day, the semifinals of the women's 3000 meter steeplechase, redshirt junior Sammy Dow finished 12th in heat two and 23rd overall in a time of 10:49.92.

Tomorrow, the Hokies will have four competitors in action: Matthias Treff in the javelin throw at 2:30 p.m. CDT, Ronnie Black in the high jump at 5:30 p.m., Ricks in the semifinals of the 200 meters at 5:30 p.m. and Michael Hammond in the semifinals of the 1500 meters at 6:15 p.m. ESPN3 will broadcast tomorrow's action online beginning at 5:15 p.m. CDT.

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Track).

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