WVU Tallies Nine All-Big 12 Performances

Friday, May 13

Lubbock,Texas

West Virginia University

Big 12 Outdoor Championship

May 15, 2022 10:31 PM | Track & Field

Results

By: Lindsay Auld

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – Redshirt freshman Ceili McCabe and redshirt junior Hayley Jackson led the West Virginia University track and field team to nine All-Big 12 performances at the 2022 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championship on May 13-15 at Fuller Track and Field in Lubbock, Texas.

The Mountaineers opened action on day two of the Big 12 Championship. Saturday evening was highlighted by McCabe, who was the 3,000-meter steeplechase champion for the second consecutive year. McCabe finished the race in a time of 10:12.87.

"We left the meet last night very happy with how the day unfolded for us," coach Sean Clery said. "Two qualifiers for both the 800-meter and 1500-meter finals are a first in program history."

Jackson placed fifth (4:28.14) in Saturday's 1,500-meter preliminary round and advanced to the finals, where she placed second overall in a time of 4:23.02.

Senior Mikenna Vanderheyden also competed in the 1,500-meter, placing seventh (4:28.44) in Saturday's preliminary round. Vanderheyden advanced to the final round and finished in sixth place (4:30.88).

"This afternoon the championship started with a huge run by Hayley and Mikenna over 1,500 meters," Cleary said. "So far, this past winter and spring, Hayley has struggled in her event, but never gave up her belief that she could regain her position amongst the finest Big 12 milers. Vanderheyden joined Hayley on the All-Big 12 Championship team with her sixth-place finish."

Additionally, in the steeplechase, fifth-year senior Sylvia Russel finished in fourth place in a time of 10:31.32, and senior Katherine Dowie placed fifth in a time of 10:41.39.

"I am very proud of how well the steeplechaser's handled themselves while finishing first, fourth and fifth. Ceili looked very strong while bringing home her second straight steeple title at the Big 12 Championship, while Sylvia and Katherine both added to their All-Big 12 accolades," Cleary said.

Also, on Saturday, sophomores Cassandra Williamson and Jo-Lauren Keane qualified for the 800-meter final. In the preliminary round, Keane placed second in a time of 2:06.04, while Williamson placed third in a time of 2:06.21. In the final, Williamson placed seventh overall in a time of 2:09.14, while Keane placed eighth in a time of 2:15.44.

"The women's 800-meter had two WVU runners in the final for the first time ever," Cleary said. "While the outcome was hoped to be a little better, I couldn't be prouder of the season that both Cassandra and Jo have had thus far. It has been extremely fun to watch them. They were both in the finals and had NCAA qualifying marks beside their names. While we were hoping for a little more, they return home with All-Big 12 accolades. They are very hard on themselves and expect more. For now, we will enjoy this and move on to the next one."

Saturday's action was capped with junior Katelyn Caccamo and sophomore Lynsie Curtis in pole vault. Curtis matched her personal best.

Also in the field, senior Peter-Gay McKenzie jumped a second-best personal mark of the season in the long jump competition. McKenzie placed 15th overall with a distance of 5.93 meters.

"The vaulters came out and really competed hard," Cleary said. "Lynsie matched her lifetime best, while Peter-Gay jumped the second-best mark of the season."

Senior Tessa Constantine saw a second-best personal time of 1:00.01 in the 400-meter hurdles to close out events on Saturday.

"Tess running her second-fastest time ever in the hurdles set the tone for a perfect ending to an incredibly impressive day," Cleary said.

Sunday's action continued with the 5,000-meter, where redshirt junior Charlotte Wood and sophomore Maria Kaylor placed sixth (17:01.19) and seventh (17:03.71), respectively.

"Due to external weather conditions, the women's 5,000-meter was moved from the evening to this morning," Cleary said. "Taking advantage of the early start, we saw Charlotte and Maria navigate their first championship 5k wonderfully while earning All-Big 12 titles.

"I am very proud of this group, both on and off the track," Cleary said. "We competed last weekend in 47-degree temperatures and stepped off the plane in Lubbock to find conditions ranging from 95-102 each day. We walk away with nine All-Big 12 Athletes, 11 top-10 finishers and few more NCAA qualifiers."

Up next, the Mountaineers wait to see who will qualify for the 2022 NCAA East Preliminary Round. The event runs from May 25-28 at the Robert C. Haugh Complex-Outdoor Track and Field in Bloomington, Indiana.

Athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective events earn a berth into the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds. In addition, the best 24 relays times advance to the NCAA preliminaries. Athletes with the top 12 times/marks and the best 12 relay teams at the East and West Preliminary Rounds sites will qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The decathlon and heptathlon will not be held during the NCAA Preliminary Rounds. Instead, the top 24 decathlon and heptathlon scores in the nation earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Championship site.

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