TicketsCOLLEGE STATION, Texas - The first day of action at the 2018 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships had it all with the women's high jump turning into a marathon as University of Cincinnati senior Loretta Blaut battled hard for a national title, but fell short in a jump-off that needed seven rounds of competition to decide the national champion after two individuals tied for the crown. Blaut, who finished second, was one of two Bearcats on the day to earn USTFCCCA All-America First Team honors as senior Adrian Valles finished tied for fifth in the men's pole vault earlier in the day. Alex Bloom, making his NCAA debut, also competed in the heptathlon, taking part in the first four events of the seven-event competition.
// BLAUT FIGHTS TO THE FINISH
The women's high jump was quite the competition. Blaut joined the rest of the field at the opening height of 1.76m and cleared on her first attempt before clearing on her first attempt again at 1.81m. After a second-attempt clearance was needed at 1.84m, Blaut cleared on her second try at 1.87m to tie her own school record and move on as one of three individuals remaining in the competition. After all three attempted three jumps at 1.90m (6-02.75), Blaut and North Carolina's Nicole Greene finished tied on misses as each cleared 1.87m (6-01.50) on their second attempt and had identical clearances as the previous three heights. With a national title on the line, a jump-off ensued between the two women to break the tie.
Both women took another attempt at 1.90m and missed before each subsequently missed their lone attempts at 1.88m, 1.86m and 1.84m. With the bar at 1.82m, Blaut went first and cleared with Green following suit to send the bar back up to 1.84m. After each missed, the bar was lowered to 1.82m once again. In what would be the final round, Blaut missed and Greene was able to clear to win the title and send Blaut to second on the podium. All told, Blaut took 16 attempts on the day before finishing with the second-best placement in program history (men and women).
// MAKING HISTORY - WOMEN
With her runner-up finish, Blaut added her name to several historical lists in program history. Her finish is the second-highest national finish in program history behind only Annette Echikunwoke's national title won one year ago in the same venue. Blaut also moved into a pair of ties in regards to USTFCCCA All-America honors as she earned her third first-team accolade and her fourth All-America honor all-time. She is now tied with Echikunwoke for the most first-team honors in women's program history (three) and tied Erika Hurd for the most USTFCCCA All-America accolades in program history with four.
// VALLES CLAIMS FOURTH ALL-AMERICA HONOR
Valles got off to a fast start as he was able to clear the opening height of 5.30m and the follow-up height of 5.40m on his first attempt to push him into a tie for first place. After passing at 5.50m, Valles returned to the competition with the bar at 5.55m (18-02.25) and, as one of nine men remaining in the event, cleared on his second attempt. He then attempted to clear 5.60m (18-06.50), but missed his opening attempt. With several other men clearing the height, Valles passed his final two attempts and rejoined the competition at 5.65m (18-06.50). At the new height, Valles attempted to clear what would have been a PR and school record, but was unsuccessful, settling for a tie for fifth place overall in the meet. With his finish, Valles earned his fourth-consecutive indoor All-America honor and the sixth of this career.
// MAKING HISTORY - MEN
Valles' name has become synonymous with Bearcats program history. The only four-time champion in AAC history after winning his fourth-consecutive title two weeks ago, Valles now has earned six career USTFCCCA All-America First Team honors, tying him with Al Lanier for the most in both men's and overall program history after Lanier jumped his way to six honors in 1972 and 1973. Each man earned first-team honors in all six of their competitions. Heading outdoors, Valles could set the all-time standard this spring by placing in the Top 16 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships to attain his seventh All-America honor in eight tries.
// BLOOM OPENS HEPTATHLON
Bloom ran 7.07 to collect 858 points in the 60m dash, the opening event of the heptathlon, which placed him in a tie for 11th overall in the standings. Bloom's next event saw the senior take part in the long jump as he improved his mark on each of his final two attempts, finishing with a best of 7.04m (23-01.25) to grab 823 more points for 1,681 points total, which placed him 12th in the overall standings at the time.
Next, Bloom hit a mark of 12.78m (41-11.75) in the heptathlon shot put to collect 654 points as his second-round toss measured out as the #3 mark in the program's heptathlon history, equaling the same mark he recorded earlier this year in the same ring while competing in the Charlie Thomas Invitational. With the points scored, he slipped to 14th overall in the standings with 2,335 points. Bloom rounded out the day with the high jump and cleared 2.02m (6-07.50) for his final 822 points of the day, bringing his Day One total to 3,157 points, good enough to have him sitting 12th overall through four events.
Bloom will be back in action Saturday at noon CT (1 p.m. ET) with the 60m hurdles before also competing in the pole vault and the 1,000m run. By finishing the heptathlon tomorrow, he would become the first man in UC history to earn All-America honors in the combined events indoors.
// IN THE TEAM STANDINGS
With her runner-up finish, Blaut earned eight points for the Bearcats women, placing them in a tie for eighth place after five of 17 events have been scored. Georgia is leading the way with 33 points while Florida (13) and New Mexico (12) round out the Top 3. On the men's side, Valles' 3.5 points have the Bearcats sitting in 24th place while Virginia Tech leads with 16 points. Host Texas A&M (15.5) is in second with Florida and Alabama tied for third with 11 points each.
// ON DECK
The NCAA Indoor Championships continue through Saturday night in College Station. Bloom will begin his second day of competition at noon CT (1 p.m. ET) with the heptathlon 60m hurdles while Annette Echikunwoke will look to defend her national title from one year ago when the women's weight throw gets underway at 4:30 p.m. CT (5:30 p.m. ET).
2018 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships
March 9 (Day 1) • Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium • College Station, Texas
Women's Results
High Jump - FINAL
2. Loretta Blaut - 1.87m (6-01.50) - runner-up on jump-off - 8 team points - PR & UC RECORD (tie) - USTFCCCA All-America First Team
Men's Results
Pole Vault - FINAL
t5. Adrian Valles - 5.55m (18-02.50) - 3.5 team points - USTFCCCA All-America First Team
Heptathlon - Day 1
12. Alex Bloom - 3,157 points
HEP #1 • 60m Dash
12. Alex Bloom - 7.07 [858p]
HEP #2 • Long Jump
13. Alex Bloom - 7.04m (23-01.25)[823p]
HEP #3 • Shot Put
12. Alex Bloom - 12.78m (41-11.75) [654p] - PR & UC HEP #3
HEP #4 • High Jump
8. Alex Bloom - 2.02m (6-07.50) [822p]
Team Scoring
Women (5 of 17 events scored)
1. Georgia - 33
2. Florida - 13
3. New Mexico - 12
4. North Carolina - 10
4. Arizona State - 10
4. Missouri - 10
4. Arkansas - 10
8. CINCINNATI - 8
8. Louisville - 8
8. Kansas State - 8
Men (5 of 17 events scored)
1. Virginia Tech - 16.0
2. Texas A&M - 15.5
3. Florida - 11.0
3. Alabama - 11.0
5. Colorado State - 10.0
5. Syracuse - 10.0
5. Kansas - 10.0
24. CINCINNATI - 3.5
// BLAUT FIGHTS TO THE FINISH
The women's high jump was quite the competition. Blaut joined the rest of the field at the opening height of 1.76m and cleared on her first attempt before clearing on her first attempt again at 1.81m. After a second-attempt clearance was needed at 1.84m, Blaut cleared on her second try at 1.87m to tie her own school record and move on as one of three individuals remaining in the competition. After all three attempted three jumps at 1.90m (6-02.75), Blaut and North Carolina's Nicole Greene finished tied on misses as each cleared 1.87m (6-01.50) on their second attempt and had identical clearances as the previous three heights. With a national title on the line, a jump-off ensued between the two women to break the tie.
Both women took another attempt at 1.90m and missed before each subsequently missed their lone attempts at 1.88m, 1.86m and 1.84m. With the bar at 1.82m, Blaut went first and cleared with Green following suit to send the bar back up to 1.84m. After each missed, the bar was lowered to 1.82m once again. In what would be the final round, Blaut missed and Greene was able to clear to win the title and send Blaut to second on the podium. All told, Blaut took 16 attempts on the day before finishing with the second-best placement in program history (men and women).
// MAKING HISTORY - WOMEN
With her runner-up finish, Blaut added her name to several historical lists in program history. Her finish is the second-highest national finish in program history behind only Annette Echikunwoke's national title won one year ago in the same venue. Blaut also moved into a pair of ties in regards to USTFCCCA All-America honors as she earned her third first-team accolade and her fourth All-America honor all-time. She is now tied with Echikunwoke for the most first-team honors in women's program history (three) and tied Erika Hurd for the most USTFCCCA All-America accolades in program history with four.
// VALLES CLAIMS FOURTH ALL-AMERICA HONOR
Valles got off to a fast start as he was able to clear the opening height of 5.30m and the follow-up height of 5.40m on his first attempt to push him into a tie for first place. After passing at 5.50m, Valles returned to the competition with the bar at 5.55m (18-02.25) and, as one of nine men remaining in the event, cleared on his second attempt. He then attempted to clear 5.60m (18-06.50), but missed his opening attempt. With several other men clearing the height, Valles passed his final two attempts and rejoined the competition at 5.65m (18-06.50). At the new height, Valles attempted to clear what would have been a PR and school record, but was unsuccessful, settling for a tie for fifth place overall in the meet. With his finish, Valles earned his fourth-consecutive indoor All-America honor and the sixth of this career.
// MAKING HISTORY - MEN
Valles' name has become synonymous with Bearcats program history. The only four-time champion in AAC history after winning his fourth-consecutive title two weeks ago, Valles now has earned six career USTFCCCA All-America First Team honors, tying him with Al Lanier for the most in both men's and overall program history after Lanier jumped his way to six honors in 1972 and 1973. Each man earned first-team honors in all six of their competitions. Heading outdoors, Valles could set the all-time standard this spring by placing in the Top 16 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships to attain his seventh All-America honor in eight tries.
// BLOOM OPENS HEPTATHLON
Bloom ran 7.07 to collect 858 points in the 60m dash, the opening event of the heptathlon, which placed him in a tie for 11th overall in the standings. Bloom's next event saw the senior take part in the long jump as he improved his mark on each of his final two attempts, finishing with a best of 7.04m (23-01.25) to grab 823 more points for 1,681 points total, which placed him 12th in the overall standings at the time.
Next, Bloom hit a mark of 12.78m (41-11.75) in the heptathlon shot put to collect 654 points as his second-round toss measured out as the #3 mark in the program's heptathlon history, equaling the same mark he recorded earlier this year in the same ring while competing in the Charlie Thomas Invitational. With the points scored, he slipped to 14th overall in the standings with 2,335 points. Bloom rounded out the day with the high jump and cleared 2.02m (6-07.50) for his final 822 points of the day, bringing his Day One total to 3,157 points, good enough to have him sitting 12th overall through four events.
Bloom will be back in action Saturday at noon CT (1 p.m. ET) with the 60m hurdles before also competing in the pole vault and the 1,000m run. By finishing the heptathlon tomorrow, he would become the first man in UC history to earn All-America honors in the combined events indoors.
// IN THE TEAM STANDINGS
With her runner-up finish, Blaut earned eight points for the Bearcats women, placing them in a tie for eighth place after five of 17 events have been scored. Georgia is leading the way with 33 points while Florida (13) and New Mexico (12) round out the Top 3. On the men's side, Valles' 3.5 points have the Bearcats sitting in 24th place while Virginia Tech leads with 16 points. Host Texas A&M (15.5) is in second with Florida and Alabama tied for third with 11 points each.
// ON DECK
The NCAA Indoor Championships continue through Saturday night in College Station. Bloom will begin his second day of competition at noon CT (1 p.m. ET) with the heptathlon 60m hurdles while Annette Echikunwoke will look to defend her national title from one year ago when the women's weight throw gets underway at 4:30 p.m. CT (5:30 p.m. ET).
2018 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships
March 9 (Day 1) • Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium • College Station, Texas
Women's Results
High Jump - FINAL
2. Loretta Blaut - 1.87m (6-01.50) - runner-up on jump-off - 8 team points - PR & UC RECORD (tie) - USTFCCCA All-America First Team
Men's Results
Pole Vault - FINAL
t5. Adrian Valles - 5.55m (18-02.50) - 3.5 team points - USTFCCCA All-America First Team
Heptathlon - Day 1
12. Alex Bloom - 3,157 points
HEP #1 • 60m Dash
12. Alex Bloom - 7.07 [858p]
HEP #2 • Long Jump
13. Alex Bloom - 7.04m (23-01.25)[823p]
HEP #3 • Shot Put
12. Alex Bloom - 12.78m (41-11.75) [654p] - PR & UC HEP #3
HEP #4 • High Jump
8. Alex Bloom - 2.02m (6-07.50) [822p]
Team Scoring
Women (5 of 17 events scored)
1. Georgia - 33
2. Florida - 13
3. New Mexico - 12
4. North Carolina - 10
4. Arizona State - 10
4. Missouri - 10
4. Arkansas - 10
8. CINCINNATI - 8
8. Louisville - 8
8. Kansas State - 8
Men (5 of 17 events scored)
1. Virginia Tech - 16.0
2. Texas A&M - 15.5
3. Florida - 11.0
3. Alabama - 11.0
5. Colorado State - 10.0
5. Syracuse - 10.0
5. Kansas - 10.0
24. CINCINNATI - 3.5