TicketsCINCINNATI - Action at the 2018 NCAA East Preliminary Round competition came to a close Saturday night in Tampa, Fla., with eight members of the University of Cincinnati track and field program competing on the third and final day of the meet being hosted at the USF Track & Field Stadium. The women's 4x100m relay team led the way Saturday as the quartet posted the eighth-fastest time in program history.
// FAST RELAY
Although the team did not advance to the national finals in Oregon, the 4x100m relay team of Kellsa Mbah, Tiona Lattimore, Haisha Bisiolu and Juliana Puopolo combined to run 45.07 in the meet to finish 18th overall. Their time, the second-fastest of the season, ranks as the #8 time in program history. It also marks the second time in as many meets the four ladies combined for a Top 10 time in program history as the group ran 44.66 to finish second in the American Athletic Conference Championships two weeks ago, the #4 time in UC history.
// ALSO COMPETING - WOMEN
One other woman competed on the day for the Bearcats with Irati Mitxelena taking 18th in the triple jump. The sophomore posted a best of 12.69m (41-07.75), which is just 10mm off her all-time collegiate PR of 12.79m jumped earlier this year.
// ALSO COMPETING - MEN
Three men also competed on the day, but were unable to find a place in the Top 12 that would have advanced them to Oregon. On the track, Aaron Bienenfeld ran 14:18.41 to finish 18th overall in the 5,000m run, missing qualification by six places. In the field, both Alex Bloom and Marcus Abraham placed 38th in the high jump and shot put, respectively. Bloom tied for 38th with a best of 2.01m (6-07.00) on the day while Abraham, in his first NCAA appearance, threw 16.95m (55-07.50) to finish his first year with the Bearcats.
// ON DECK
One member of the program earned a trip to Oregon with Loretta Blaut qualifying to the NCAA Finals in the women's high jump after tying for first place Thursday. Blaut, a four-time AAC Champion and four-time USTFCCCA All-American, will battle for the national crown on Saturday, June 9, at 3 p.m. Pacific (6 p.m. ET).
2018 NCAA East Preliminary Round
May 26 • Day 3 • USF Track & Field Stadium • Tampa, Fla.
Women's Results
4x100m Relay • Quarterfinal
18. Cincinnati • 45.07 • UC #8 • eliminated
Kellsa Mbah, Tiona Lattimore, Haisha Bisiolu, Juliana Puopolo
Triple Jump - First Round
18. Irati Mitxelena • 12.69m (41-07.75) • eliminated
Men's Results
5,000m Run - Semifinal
18. Aaron Bienenfeld • 14:18.41 • eliminated
High Jump - First Round
t-38. Alex Bloom • 2.01m (6-07.00) • eliminated
Shot Put - First Round
38. Marcus Abraham • 16.95m (55-07.50) • eliminated
// FAST RELAY
Although the team did not advance to the national finals in Oregon, the 4x100m relay team of Kellsa Mbah, Tiona Lattimore, Haisha Bisiolu and Juliana Puopolo combined to run 45.07 in the meet to finish 18th overall. Their time, the second-fastest of the season, ranks as the #8 time in program history. It also marks the second time in as many meets the four ladies combined for a Top 10 time in program history as the group ran 44.66 to finish second in the American Athletic Conference Championships two weeks ago, the #4 time in UC history.
// ALSO COMPETING - WOMEN
One other woman competed on the day for the Bearcats with Irati Mitxelena taking 18th in the triple jump. The sophomore posted a best of 12.69m (41-07.75), which is just 10mm off her all-time collegiate PR of 12.79m jumped earlier this year.
// ALSO COMPETING - MEN
Three men also competed on the day, but were unable to find a place in the Top 12 that would have advanced them to Oregon. On the track, Aaron Bienenfeld ran 14:18.41 to finish 18th overall in the 5,000m run, missing qualification by six places. In the field, both Alex Bloom and Marcus Abraham placed 38th in the high jump and shot put, respectively. Bloom tied for 38th with a best of 2.01m (6-07.00) on the day while Abraham, in his first NCAA appearance, threw 16.95m (55-07.50) to finish his first year with the Bearcats.
// ON DECK
One member of the program earned a trip to Oregon with Loretta Blaut qualifying to the NCAA Finals in the women's high jump after tying for first place Thursday. Blaut, a four-time AAC Champion and four-time USTFCCCA All-American, will battle for the national crown on Saturday, June 9, at 3 p.m. Pacific (6 p.m. ET).
2018 NCAA East Preliminary Round
May 26 • Day 3 • USF Track & Field Stadium • Tampa, Fla.
Women's Results
4x100m Relay • Quarterfinal
18. Cincinnati • 45.07 • UC #8 • eliminated
Kellsa Mbah, Tiona Lattimore, Haisha Bisiolu, Juliana Puopolo
Triple Jump - First Round
18. Irati Mitxelena • 12.69m (41-07.75) • eliminated
Men's Results
5,000m Run - Semifinal
18. Aaron Bienenfeld • 14:18.41 • eliminated
High Jump - First Round
t-38. Alex Bloom • 2.01m (6-07.00) • eliminated
Shot Put - First Round
38. Marcus Abraham • 16.95m (55-07.50) • eliminated