OU Throws an All-American Trio in the Books

Thursday, June 9

Eugene, Ore.

12:30 PM

University of Oklahoma

NCAA Outdoor Championships

OU Throws an All-American Trio in the Books

June 09, 2016 | Track and Field

By: Akilah Laster

EUGENE, Ore. - A pair of Sooner throwers made their last moments memorable ones, while another plans on having a few more unforgettable times in the future.

Seniors Julia Reedy and Liz Herrs concluded their collegiate careers by earning first-team All-America honors on Thursday at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Reedy, who opened the day for OU, posted a 213-5.00 in the fourth round of the finals to solidify a place on the first team. The top eight finishes earn first-team honors and second-team honors go to those who place ninth through 16th.

Reedy improved from a season ago when she placed fifth in her national debut, posting a then-program record. She holds the record with a 219-2.00, a mark she recorded at the beginning of this season.

Head coach Jim VanHootegem shared his appreciation for not only her performance but her value to the team. "Julia seems to like this track meet because she knows how to compete at this level. She had a good series today. She's not just a good athlete on our team, but a leader. I wish we could have lots and lots of people like Julia - it's going to be really hard to say goodbye to her. That's a great way to close out her career at OU and I couldn't be prouder of her."

Herrs earned her third All-America honor on Thursday, her second as a member of the first team. She placed eighth with a 170-9.00 to conclude a noteworthy career with the Sooners. She finished third at nationals a season ago and 10th in 2014. The senior departs with the third-best mark in program history, a 189-6.75.

"Liz has battle injuries all year and has never complained," VanHootegem said. "She's done a lot to help the team scoring points. I'm sure she had bigger plans for herself but she's had a great attitude all season. I'm very very proud of her. Again, she's another one it'll be tough to see leave."

Jess Woodard added her own first-team All-America performance to the books. She finished third in the shot put, recording a career-best 58-8.00 to move to second all-time at OU.

Woodard was also a first team All-American at the indoor championship in Birmingham, Ala., where she placed eighth.

The sophomore recorded multiple PRs throughout the season and has significantly improved her mark by nearly eight feet. She entered the season with an outdoor best of 50-10.75.

"Jess Woodard - what a huge throw. It's really fun to see her blossom into this type of thrower. Last year, she came to this meet and didn't make the finals in the discus. For her to score in the shot put in two championships this year shows she's really establishing herself as a national presence," the third-year head coach said.

Junior Baileh Simms recorded a 19-9.00 in the long jump to round out field event competition for the women.

The second day of the meet proved to be a tough one for the sprints group as the Sooners were unable to advance to any running finals on Saturday. OU's 4x100 quartet of Bianca Brazil, Ama Pipi, Daye Shon Roberson and Leya Buchanan finished 15th overall with a time of 45.41.

The 4x400 relay - Mia Mukes, Roberson, Daunicia Demerson and Payton Baker - ran a time of 3:37.37, but it was not enough to advance.

Roberson finished 12th overall in the 400 to earn second team All-America honors, but did not advance to the final for the first time in her career. She placed third in the outdoor 400 a season ago and fifth in the 200 at the indoor championship in March.

Pipi ran a 23.72 in the 200, but fell short of qualifying as well.

VanHootegem had greater expectations for his sprinters. "I'm disappointed because we didn't have good days. We didn't perform, we didn't execute, we didn't compete. That's not who we are or who we want to be. The people on that squad are really going to have to figure it out as a unit."

Dylan Blankenbaker will be the lone Sooner competing Friday as he runs in the 3000 steeplechase finals. Blankenbaker advanced after a successful protest of his his Wednesday semifinal race. Late in the race, the junior rolled off the track as he stumbled over a fallen competitor and was pushed from behind by another runner.

The San Diego, Calif., native was the Big 12 runner-up in the steeplechase, missing the title by .03 second. Blankenbaker dove head first across the finish line and face planted on the track in his grittiest and most memorable performance of the season. In that same race, he earned his collegiate best time of 8:41.24, which ranks second all-time at OU.

"Dylan didn't get a full chance to compete," VanHootegem said. "We had a lot of confidence in him going into the meet and we have that same belief in him now. We want him to feel confident and go out and see what he can do."

The men's steeplechase final is scheduled for a 7:54 p.m. (CT) start.

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). A full recap will be posted after the conclusion of competition Friday on SoonerSports.com.

Date	Time (CT)	Network	Details
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

Broadcast Time for Field Events (all times Eastern)

Day	Start Time (ET)	Network	Title	Watch Link
Fri	3:20:00 PM	ESPN3	Women's Heptathlon	http://es.pn/1ZxSRnP
Fri	4:20:00 PM	ESPN3	Women's Heptathlon	http://es.pn/1U7pRBX
Fri	6:20:00 PM	ESPN3	Women's Heptathlon	http://es.pn/1rd1U1D
Fri	7:50:00 PM	ESPN3	Men's High Jump	http://es.pn/1TVDW2Y
Fri	7:55:00 PM	ESPN3	Men's Discus	http://es.pn/1ZxSVnq
Fri	8:20:00 PM	ESPN3	Men's Triple Jump	http://es.pn/1thfjrl

Sat	2:20:00 PM	ESPN3	Women's Heptathlon	http://es.pn/28kmpeC
Sat	2:20:00 PM	ESPN3	Women's Heptathlon	http://es.pn/1WEOWrk
Sat	5:50:00 PM	ESPN3	Women's High Jump	http://es.pn/22PjPcv
Sat	5:55:00 PM	ESPN3	Women's Discus	http://es.pn/1WEOWrk
Sat	6:20:00 PM	ESPN3	Women's Triple Jump	http://es.pn/1XES3QL
Sat	9:00:00 PM	ESPN3	Trophy Presentations	http://es.pn/1U4595H