Costello Stewart Find NCAA Marks at Arkansas Last Chance
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Colin Costello and Mychael Stewart were the only Hogs to improve their NCAA qualifying marks at the Arkansas Last Chance, Fri., March 2, at the Randal Tyson Track Center.
Costello, who had yet to post a NCAA provisional-qualifying mark, clocked a winning 4:01.35 in the mile run. Paced by former Hog Seth Summerside, Costello ran the last two laps alone and hit the bell lap at the 3:30 mark.
“That was good for a young kid like Colin (Costello), being totally on his own,” McDonnell said. “If the rabbit went a little bit longer with him he would have got the (automatic time). I’m very pleased with his effort. He’s a young guy with great potential. He is going to be someone who can help us.”
Just missing the automatic time of 3:59.00, Costello is currently sitting at No. 14 on the national performance list.
“I’m pretty happy,” Costello said. “The pacers brought me through in a quick pace. I think I was even a little too quick through 800 meters, at 1:56. Overall, I’m happy. I’m right on the bubble so hopefully (my time) will get me in.”
Stewart, still competing with as bruised heel, finished second in the long jump with a season and personal-best leap of 25-2.75.
“He’s a tough kid,” McDonnell said. “I’m happy for him. (Competing at the NCAA Championships) is going to be a great experience for him.”
Stewart’s fate prior to this evening was undecided and it remains that way after missing the NCAA automatic mark of 25-9.25 but improving his spot on the national list aids his chances of qualifying.
“I came into this meet not knowing if I was going to make the NCAAs and that was my goal,” Stewart said. “I wasn’t worried about winning. I just wanted to come out and jump far. I didn’t want it to be my last meet of the season. If I had to (set a personal best) to do it, so be it.”
Stewart, who’s previous season best was 25-1.25, currently ties for 12th on the national performance list after his 25-2.75 performance tonight.
“I feel pretty confident that my mark is going to get in but you never know,” Stewart said. “My foot feels fine. We did everything we could to modify my shoes so that I could go down the runway with as little pain as possible.”
J-Mee Samuels finished second in the 60-meter finals with a clocking of 6.69 after running a 6.77 in the prelims. Samuels’ outing matches his person and season best set earlier in the season. Also on the bubble for making the national meet, he is currently ranked 20th in the event.
At Notre Dame’s Alex Wilson Invitational, Daniel LaCava, Clemore Henry, Brian Roe and Adam Perkins combined for a clocking of 9:39.00 and a 10th-place finish. Although the time is better then the previous season best of 9:44.17, it’s still on the bubble for qualifying in next week. The time currently sits at No. 7 on the national list.
Last Chance meets are also being held at Notre Dame, Washington, Iowa State, Virginia Tech and LSU this weekend. The complete list of accepted athletes for the NCAA Indoor Championships will be posted online at www.ncaasports.com late in the day on Monday.
For complete results of the Arkansas Last Chance, visit www.hogwired.com. For complete results of Notre Dame’s Alex Wilson Invitational, visit www.und.com. For the complete national performance list, visit www.trackshark.com.
