Hardy, Olotu Qualify for Championship on Second Day of West Preliminary

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Seniors Monique Hardy and Shalom Olotu both qualified in the field events on Thursday (May 29) during the second day of the NCAA West Preliminary at E.B. Cushing Stadium.

Hardy and Olotu finished in the top-12 of their respective events, the women's hammer throw and long jump, while all three women in the 400 meter hurdles first round, juniors Safhia Hinds and Jourdin Edwards and senior Ludivine Aubert, will advance to the quarterfinal race.

After the first day of competition for both the men and women, four Wildcats, Hardy and Olotu, Riley Marx and Emil Uhlin, are set to compete in the NCAA Championship on June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Hardy will reach her first outdoor Nationals after finishing 11^th in the hammer throw with a distance of 62.99m (206' 8"). Hardy previously competed in two indoor NCAA Championships in the weight throw.

Olotu punched her ticket to her first NCAA competition in the long jump with a 9^th place jump of 6.44m (21' 1 ½") (0.7). Now the no. 4 best outdoor distance in the K-State records, she recorded a new personal best in the event for the first time in two years. Olotu will also compete in the triple jump at 2:30 p.m., CT on Saturday (May 31).

In the 400 meter hurdles, Hinds finished 4^th overall in 56.64 seconds, her second-best time this season. Edwards claimed 6^th place in her fastest time of 57.14 seconds while Aubert finished 15^th in 57.67 seconds. All three Wildcats finished in the top-3 of their respective heats to automatically qualify for the quarterfinal race on Saturday at 7:25 p.m.

Other women competing on Thursday included two throwers, senior Jessi Brummett in the women's javelin throw (24^th; 46.22m, 151' 8") and fellow senior Jaycee Schroeder in the women's shot put (25^th; 15.56m, 51' 0 ¾") in the final meets of their careers.

K-State will have five more athletes in the final day of men's competition on Friday (May 30). The day will start with juniors Gary Moore Jr. and Nate Collier in the discus throw at 1 p.m., Big 12 champion Jhavor Bennett and freshman Selva Prabhu in the triple jump at 2:30 p.m., following with senior Tommy Hazen in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 5:40 p.m. Two remaining days of competition can be streamed on ESPN+ starting with the track events.

FROM THE TRACK
Head Coach Travis Geopfert
On three Wildcats advancing past the preliminary round…
"Awesome efforts by our student athletes and our staff. Our kids are focused and having fun. The vibes are good here in College Station. Super proud of this team. Some absolutely clutch performances. Good couple days at the office."

NCAA West Preliminary
E.B. Cushing Stadium
Bryan-College Station, Texas

Women's Hammer Throw
11. Monique Hardy, 62.99m (206' 8")*

Women's Javelin Throw
24. Jessi Brummett, 46.22m (151' 8")

Women's Long Jump
9. Shalom Olotu, 6.44m (21' 1 ½") (0.7) (PR)*

Women's Shot Put
25. Jaycee Schroeder, 15.56m (51' 0 ¾")

Women's 400 Meter Hurdles (First Round)
4. Safhia Hinds, 56.64*
6. Jourdin Edwards, 57.14*
15. Ludivine Aubert, 57.67*

Women's Pole Vault
Claire Bybee, NH

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Kansas State University Athletics

Hardy, Olotu Qualify for Championship on Second Day of West Preliminary

Players Mentioned

Ludivine Aubert

Jhavor Bennett

Jessi Brummett

Claire Bybee

Nate Collier

Jourdin Edwards

Monique Hardy

Tommy Hazen

Safhia Hinds

Riley Marx

Gary Moore Jr.

Shalom Olotu

Selva Prabhu

Jaycee Schroeder

Emil Uhlin

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