University of Oregon
UW Final Qualifier
Youngblood Saves Best Jump for Last
03/05/11 | Track and Field
SEATTLE, Wash. - Jamesha Youngblood was down to one final attempt in the long jump in her indoor career at Oregon.
But thanks to a clutch sixth-attempt leap of 21-2.5/6.46m Saturday at the UW Final Qualifier at the Dempsey Indoor Facility, the senior from San Pablo, Calif., automatically qualified for next weekend's NCAA Championships.
Youngblood won the event on Saturday and posted an eight-inch seasonal best. Her mark was the third-best in the nation this season; Youngblood came into the meet ranked 18th nationally.
Mac Fleet ran 3:59.03 to finish third in the men's mile. The sophomore from San Diego, Calif., missed an NCAA automatic mark by .03, but his time ranks 16th nationally and will be considered for an NCAA at-large bid.
Competing unattached, A.J. Acosta won the mile in 3:58.39. The senior from Oceanside, Calif., has exhausted his indoor eligibility at Oregon, but does have a season of outdoor remaining this spring.
Mike Berry captured the men's 400 meters in 46.67. That was an indoor personal best for the freshman from Seattle, Wash., and the third-fastest in school history.
Senior Vernell Warren earned an indoor personal best in the long jump, going 24-9.75/7.56m in a runner-up finish. That was the fifth-best leap in school history.
Senior Mandy White ran a season-best 7.38 in the finals of the women's 60 meters to finish second.
Sophomore Becca Friday finished fifth in the women's 800 in an indoor personal-best 2:06.53 in a race that was won by Oregon Track Club Elite's Geena Gall in 2:02.56.
Junior Jordan Roskelley tied for fourth in the women's pole vault with a clearance at 13-5.75/4.11m, just missing her personal best.
With Youngblood's long jump, the top-ranked Duck women have 12 NCAA Championships automatic marks, while the men have five. Oregon also has a number of entrants who will be considered for at-large bids.
The field for NCAA Indoor Championships, held next Friday and Saturday at Texas A&M, will be announced Monday.
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Players Mentioned
