Trojans fall short of Eugene, but represent Little Rock well at NCAA West Prelims

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Although they won't be moving on to the final stage, the Little Rock Track & Field team was well-represented in competition during the NCAA West Prelims at the University of Arkansas. The Trojans sent a program-record eight athletes to the NCAAs on the strength of an Ohio Valley Conference title. Two of those made it out of the first day of competition at John McDonnell Field before bowing out in the quarterfinals – one mark short of advancing to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore.
 
Cameron Jackson finished 24^th in the 100 meters, clocking a time of 10.78 after qualifying for the quarterfinals with a 10;35 in the first round. Nicholas Newby was 23^rd in the 800 meters Friday with a time of 1:53.37 after running a 1:48.78 on Wednesday.
 
Freshman Dion Murombe had to wait two days in Fayetteville before finally getting on the stage for the triple jump, finishing 34^th in a field of 48 with a best jump of
14.72 meters (48-3.5 feet). The top 12 finishers in the event qualified for the NCAA Championships.
 
All three left their mark on the school record book this season, with Newby setting a new school record in the 800 while also becoming the first Trojans to compete at the NCAAs in the event. Jackson set the OVC Championship meet record in the 100 and Murombe set a school record in the triple jump (15.34 meters).