High Jumpers Qualify For Nationals

EUGENE, Ore. -- Junior high jumpers Ada Robinson and Diana Blauer became the fifth and sixth BYU women’s athletes to advance to the NCAA Championships on the final day of the West Preliminary.

"We had two more qualify for Nationals today to give us six total athletes," head coach Patrick Shane said. "It was great to come here to represent BYU at the NCAA Preliminary and all our athletes did well."

Robinson, the BYU record holder for the outdoor high jump, tied for first by clearing 1.75m (5-8.75). Robinson was an outdoor All-American in 2009 and an indoor All-American in 2011.

Blauer jumped 1.70m (5-7.00) and had to compete in a jump-off to qualify for Nationals. This marks the second National Championship appearance for Blauer, who also competed at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Championships.

Senior Kari Hardt competed in two races Saturday, beginning with the 1500m and finishing with the 5000m. Hardt finished the 1500m in 4:22.90 and narrowly missed qualifying for the next round. In the 5000m, Hardt placed 36th in 16:57.27.

"Kari ran her heart out today," Shane said. "She just barely missed the cut for Nationals. She had a great kick at the end and just ran out of track at the end."

The 4x100m relay team of Fatima Makakala, Porshe Giddings, Aubrey Hale and Mindy Sagers finished 21st in 46.25. In the final event of the day the 4x400m team of Giddings, Katie Palmer, Sarah Edwards and Lacey Bleazard finished 20th in 3:43.50.

The Cougars will have six athletes moving on to the National Championships, which will take place on June 10-11 at Drake University. Morgan Haws (10000m), Robinson (high jump), Blauer (high jump), Bleazard (800m), Palmer (800m) and Giddings (100m) will represent BYU at Nationals.