TicketsJune 12, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University of Cincinnati juniors Antione Drakeford (Columbus, Ohio/Africentric) and Jasmine Cotten (Fayetteville, W. Va./Fayetteville) competed in the semifinals of the 400 meters and Day 2 of the heptathlon, respectively, on Day 3 of the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Cotton combined to score 1,911 points in the final day of the heptathlon to finish 18th, while Drakeford fell just short of qualifying for Saturday's final with a 12th place time of 46.00 in the 400.
The long jump, javelin, and 800 meter run were the contested events in the heptathlon on Friday and Cotten had solid showings in each event. In the long jump, Cotten's top mark of 18' 00-1/2" came in her second attempt, giving her 700 points. Cotten's javelin toss of 99' 08" and 800 time of 2:27.30 netted 484 points and 727 points, respectively, giving her a total score of 5,286 for the event.
Oregon's Brianne Theisen won the women's heptathlon with a score of 6,086.
In the men's 400, Drakeford ran in the second heat and completed his lap around the track in a time of 46.00, improving upon his preliminary time by four-hundredths of a second. Despite the improvement, Drakeford finished sixth in his heat, falling just short of the final qualifying spot by .12 seconds.
Florida State's Jonathan Borlee clocked the top time in the event with a time of 45.25.