Bailey Hertenstein, India Johnson and Abbey Glynn are moving on.
That trio highlighted the day for the Colorado track and field team as the women’s events got underway on Thursday at the NCAA West Preliminaries in Sacramento.
Hertenstein advanced in the 1,500 meter run, and Glynn, the standout from Mead High, did the same in the 400 meter hurdles. Both athletes will compete in the West Preliminary finals on Saturday with a berth in the NCAA championships on the line.
Hertenstein made the cut in a wild opening heat in the 1,500, as the top seven runners in the heat ultimately finished as the top seven in the event overall. Hertenstein finished seventh with a time of 4 minutes, 13.48 seconds.
Glynn finished seventh overall in the 400 hurdles, finishing in 57.15 seconds while qualifying automatically as the winner of the sixth heat. Johnson finished ninth in the 10K with a time of 32:44.12 to advance to next week’s championship in Austin, Tex.
Avery McMullen pulled double-duty in the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump, with the events beginning simultaneously. McMullen finished sixth in her flight with a 13.62, before recording a mark of 5.86 meters on her third attempt in the long jump.
The Buffs had two athletes compete in field events, with Jada Green finishing 17th in the javelin (49.95 meters) and Amanda Opp finishing 29th in the hammer throw (58.84.).
The West Prelims continue on Friday with the finals of the men’s events. The Buffs will roll out their 4 x 400 relay team, in addition to Caleb Niednagel in the steeplechase (6:40 p.m. MT) and James Milholen in the 400 (7:50 p.m. MT). Charlie Sweeney, who finished 18th in the 10K on Wednesday, also is scheduled to run in the 5K final (9:10 p.m. MT).
NCAA West Preliminaries
Thursday CU Buffs results
Women’s events
Hammer throw — 29. Amanda Opp 58.84.
Javelin — 17. Jada Green 49.95.
1,500 — 7. Bailey Hertenstein 4:13.48 (Q).
400 hurdles — 7. Abbey Glynn 57.15 (Q).
10K (final) — 9. India Johnson 32:44.12.
