Sooners Set for Championships in TrackTown

June 07, 2016 | Track and Field

By: Akilah Laster

EUGENE, Ore. - The end is near. But first, there's more running, jumping and throwing to get done.

The Oklahoma track and field teams have arrived and are ready for their final contest of the collegiate season - the NCAA Championships. The big meet, hosted by the University of Oregon at legendary Hayward Field, will feature 13 Sooners, the most under head coach Jim VanHootegem.

"It's good to be back here, back in TrackTown, USA," VanHootegem said. "The first couple of days are about us getting acclimated and getting ready to compete. We've certainly prepared to be here all season and now we're here."

This year's OU qualifiers are a combination of experience and first-timers which speaks to the direction that VanHootegem continues to steer the program.

Dylan Blankenbaker // 3K Steeplechase

For the men, a pair of Sooners will be making their debut on the national stage. Junior Dylan Blankenbaker will open Wednesday at 7:02 p.m. (CT) in the 3,000-meter ssteeplechase semifinal. Blankenbaker has been a gritty competitor this championship season. The San Diego, Calif., native not only won his heat at the NCAA West Regional in Lawrence, Kan., on May 27 to automatically advance to nationals, but he was part of one of the most memorable finishes at the conference meet this season. Blankenbaker, the Big 12 steeple runner-up, dove head first across the finish line, attempting to surpass a Texas Tech competitor. The Sooner fell short of winning, missing the title by .03 seconds, but his effort reflected his continued value to the team.

Tyler Renton // Javelin

Tyler Renton will end his collegiate career the way many can only dream about - competing for a national title. The senior javelin thrower made his final season a noteworthy one from the beginning. On his second throw of outdoor season, Renton recorded a 252-2.00 effort to set a program record and remain in the top five collegiately the entire season. The Georgetown, Ontario, native also led OU's sweep in the men's javelin at the conference meet, earning his first Big 12 title ahead of teammates Garrett Snow (second) and T.J. Noonan (third). Snow won conference a year ago.

"Both Dylan and Tyler are veterans and have done well at the conference levels and at different invitationals throughout the season," VanHootegem said. "Even though this is their first trip to nationals, they're more than capable. I think they don't need to look at it like they're first-timers. They should know that they're definitely scorers at this meet.

Julia Reedy // Hammer Throw

"These men have gotten it done every time we've asked them to," he continued. "We know what they're capable of and what kind of performances they give. They are definitely a solid pair for us in the men's competition."

The men's javelin final is schedule for Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.

Beginning last season, the men's and women's competitions were hosted on separate days - Wednesday and Friday will focus on the men's division and Thursday and Saturday will feature women's events.

The women's group returns three first team All-Americans from a season ago as well as a mix of experience across running events, throws and long jump.

Julia Reedy, a team captain, will lead off the Sooner efforts on Thursday as she opens in the hammer throw. Reedy returns after a stellar showing in 2015, her national debut, where she earned a then-program record and a fifth-place finish in the finals.

Ashley Bryant // Hammer Throw

The senior opened this season in Tempe posting the then-second-best throw (219-2.00) in the nation to replace her previous school record and also remain in the top three in the NCAA during the regular season.

Reedy will be joined by teammate Ashley Bryant who is making her first appearance in Eugene. Bryant placed eighth at the regional competition to secure her first national bid on a PR 203-2.00 effort. Competition is slated for Thursday at 4 p.m. (CT).

Two-time javelin All-American Liz Herrs is scheduled to compete Thursday at 7:45 p.m. She finished third at the NCAA a season ago and 10th in 2014. As the most experienced OU entry, Herrs also looks to cement her collegiate legacy with a title.

Liz Herrs // Javelin

Thrower Jess Woodard will also make consecutive appearances on the national stage as she competes in the shot put final on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. The sophomore's 2015 national debut was in the discus, but she has had experience on the national level in shot put, earning first team All-America honors during the 2016 indoor season when she placed eighth (55-11.00).

Woodard has shown consistent development throughout the season, improving her outdoor best by nearly six feet from a season ago.

"Liz and Julia are coming back from great performances last year," the head coach said. "Jess also had a strong indoor season in the shot put and so she understands what happens when you compete at your best at the right time.

Jess Woodard // Shot Put

"Ashley Bryant, although she is a newcomer, is pretty unfazed by the prestige of the meet and is ready," he continued. "She showed a lot of competitiveness at the regional meet and produced under pressure. That's what it will take for everyone."

OU transfer Baileh Simms will round out competition in the field events for the Sooners in the long jump. She makes her second consecutive NCAA bid after placing 10th at the regional meet. The junior competed at the national meet for Portland State a season ago.

Baileh Simms // Long Jump

Action on the track for the women begins Thursday at 6:32 p.m. with the 4x100 relay. It will feature Bianca Brazil, Ama Pipi, Daye Shon Roberson and Leya Buchanan. The 4x100, along with the 4x400 relay, return to the national stage for consecutive seasons. The 4x400 will close the day at 9:48 p.m. as Pipi, Roberson, Daunicia Demerson and Payton Baker will compete for OU. Mia Mukes is an alternate for both relays.

The relays have been an integral part of the success of the women's team and return a lot of experience to the national scene. Brazil is the only member of the relays who is making a debut and replaces Erin Jones, a member of last year's 4x100 who graduated.

Bianca Brazil // 4x100 Relay

The 4x100 group finished ninth a season ago with a time of 44.25, barely missing the top eight goal to advance to the finals. This year's team has momentum after finishing second in conference with an improved time of 44.54. The 2016 relay placed 10th at the regional meet.

The 4x400 quartet hopes to make up for last year's performance in Eugene. That one was marred by injuries to several relay members and finished 23rd.

The relay is coming off of a historical conference performance as it was the first OU women's relay to win a Big 12 championship. It's also the program's first conference relay championship since the men also won the 4x400 in 1997.

Payton Baker (left), Daunicia Demerson (right) // 4x400 Relay

"We missed the finals in the 4x1 last year by one spot and we think that this year, if they do their best, we can definitely fight to get into the final," the third-year head coach said. "That'll be a big step for our program.

"The relays, as I've said all season, are a very important part of our team and what we are doing with the program," he continued. "We have a strong core with some experience now that can really do well if we are at our best. They really help the momentum."

Leya Buchanan // 4x100 Relay

Pipi and Roberson, an All-American, will also compete in individual running events. Pipi will make her NCAA debut in the 200 semifinal scheduled for 8:44 p.m. Thursday. She is coming off a PR performance at the regional meet where she clocked a 23.20 and finished 11th to earn her first NCAA bid in an individual event.

Roberson returns for consecutive appearances in the 400 race after placing third a season ago. The junior's 51.42 time posted at the Payton Jordan Invitational on May 1 ranks ninth in the NCAA. The 400 field will be stout, but Roberson has been a top contender the entire season and has won each of her races in the regular season. She also finished third in the Big 12 and fourth overall at the regional meet after winning her heat.

Daye Shon Roberson (left), Ama Pipi (left) // Both: 4x100, 4x400, 400 (Roberson), 200 (Pipi)

"It's nice that we're all together," VanHootegem said. "It's easy to make this an individual sport, but we like to do things as a team. Everyone is here for the week and ready to support each other. Overall there's just a positive energy that we have, collectively. We're looking forward to the competition."

Live results will be available at Flash Results. Action will be broadcast on ESPN channels each day of the meet (schedule below, all times are Central). Full recaps will be posted after the conclusion of competition each day on SoonerSports.com.

Date	Time (ET)	Network	Details
Wed, June 8	6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.	ESPNU or ESPN2	Men's Semifinals
	7:30 p.m.-10 p.m.	ESPN2 or ESPN
	2:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.	ESPN3
Thu, June 9	6:30 p.m.-7 p.m.	ESPNU	Women's Semifinals
	7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.	ESPN
	12:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.	ESPN3
Fri, June 10	7:30 p.m.-10 p.m.	ESPN	Men's Championships
Fri, June 10	2:30 p.m.-10 p.m.	ESPN3	Men's Championships
Sat, June 11	5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.	ESPN	Women's Championships
Sat, June 11	1:30 p.m.-8 p.m.	ESPN3	Women's Championships