Drakeford Advances to 400 Meter Semifinals at NCAA Championships

June 11, 2009

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - With a scheduled start time of 8:15 p.m. ET for the 400 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, University of Cincinnati junior Antione Drakeford (Columbus, Ohio/Africentric) had to wait out a three-hour weather delay due to inclement weather in the Fayetteville, Ark., before stepping into the starting blocks around 11:15 p.m. ET. Needing to finish in either the Top 3 of his heat or own one of the next three fastest times to advance to the semifinals, Drakeford remained focused throughout the delay and finished second in the fifth heat to proceed to the 400 meter semifinals, which will take place at 8:25 p.m. ET on Friday, June 12.

Drakeford clocked in at 46.04 in his lap around the track, which was the seventh best time in the race. Drakeford is the only competitor in the 400 meters from the BIG EAST Conference.

Eighteen runners advanced to the semifinals, and the top four runners from each heat of the semifinals and the runner with the next fastest time will advance to the finals.

Junior Jasmine Cotten (Fayetteville, W. Va./Fayetteville) competes in the two-day heptathlon event beginning on Thursday, June 11, at 12:15 p.m.