Ole Miss Track & Field’s Logan Kelley Advances to NCAA Outdoor Championships
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Ole Miss track and field senior pole vaulter Logan Kelley secured his spot in the NCAA outdoor championships with a strong performance Wednesday at the NCAA East Region First Round.
Kelley cleared 5.35 meters (17 feet, 6. 50 inches) on his second attempt at that height, which was enough to tie for 10th place and advance to the national meet in Oregon. His earlier clearances at 5.05 meters (16-6.75) and 5.20 meters (17-0.75) helped him secure the qualification, according to meet officials.
This marks Kelley’s second career appearance at the NCAA outdoor championships. He previously qualified last year at the NCAA East Regional in Jacksonville and finished 17th in Oregon. He is only the second Ole Miss male pole vaulter to qualify twice for the national outdoor meet, joining three-time Olympian Sam Kendricks, who earned three titles between 2012 and 2014.
In addition to Kelley’s achievement, Ole Miss athletes advanced in multiple events. Sophomore Jordan Urrutia qualified for the quarterfinals in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Urrutia narrowly missed automatic qualifying in the 100, finishing fourth in his heat with a time of 10.29 seconds, but broke the tie-breaker with a time of 10.282 seconds, edging out Louisiana Tech’s Carl Murray IV.
Urrutia then secured his spot in the 200-meter quarterfinals with a second-place finish in his heat at 20.32 seconds. This marks the first time since 2013 that a Rebel has qualified in both sprints outdoors, with Olympian Isiah Young the last to do so.
Junior Max Armstrong also advanced in the 800-meter run, finishing third in his heat with a time of 1:47.64. His performance earned him a spot in Friday’s quarterfinals. Other Rebels competing included seniors Chase Rose and Carson Turner in the 800, and seniors Kidus Misgina and Aiden Britt in the 10,000 meters. Smith and Hickel participated in the hammer throw, finishing 21st and 41st, respectively.
The second day of competition will focus on the women’s events, beginning at 9 a.m. CT with the hammer throw.
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