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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Just as he’s done all season, Darrell Wesh proved tonight at the NCAA Track and Field Championships that he has more in him. After breaking his personal record in each of his previous three races this year, the junior came out tonight and shattered his previous record of 6.65, which he set two weeks ago, with a blazing time of 6.57 in the first heat of the 60-meter prelims at the Randal Tyson Track Center.
Wesh’s mark topped Keith Rick’s school record which stood at 6.61. He finished second in his heat and second overall, only behind 2013 U.S. indoor national champion D’Angelo Cherry from Mississippi State, who came in at 6.53, the fastest 60-meter time recorded this season. After tonight’s prelims, Wesh is one of only five sprinters to run a sub-6.60 60-meter time this season and ranks as the fourth fastest. He will now turn his attention to the finals tomorrow night at 8:10 p.m., ET.
Heading into the championships tied for fourth in the NCAA in the long jump, Jeff Artis-Gray finished seventh overall with a mark of 25-6.25 (7.78m) on just one scored jump. The senior fouled on his first attempt, but came back to hit his seventh-place jump on his second attempt. With a foul on his third jump, Artis-Gray headed into the finals sitting fourth overall. The senior though fouled on all three of his attempts in the finals.
“Tonight was definitely bizarre to say the least,” Artis-Gray said. “I had a lot of fouls. I know I have a lot left in me for the outdoor season so right now I’m just happy to have gotten All-American honors off of one jump tonight.”
The fouls were something that the senior wasn’t used to, but as with many veteran athletes, he knew what the problem could be attributed to.
“I know that I was more excited tonight than normal,” said Artis-Gray of the fouls. “I was just very amped. I know that my speed on the runway was way faster than it usually is so I know that was the reason for most of the fouls. I know that I just need to calm down next time I’m in a big championship meet.”
In the men’s distance medley relay, the group of Artis-Gray, Ryan Hagen, Tihut Degfae and Michael Hammond finished in 12th place at 9:49.69.
The Hokies will start tomorrow at 3 p.m., ET as Alexander Ziegler and Tomas Kruzliak will be competing in the weight throw. Both Hokies are in the second flight. Ziegler heads into the event with the top throw in the NCAA this season. Also competing on the final day is Ronnie Black in the high jump, Martina Schultze in the pole vault and Wesh in the 60-meter finals and Will Mulherin in the 3,000 meters.
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