Wednesday, May 24
Sacramento, Calif.
All Day
Abilene Christian
at
NCAA West Preliminary
Photo by: Adam Aboelmatty
Track Season Ends in Sacramento
5/27/2023 10:30:00 PM | Track & Field
SACRAMENTO – Abilene Christian heartbreakingly ended its track season on Saturday with discus-thrower Zoe Burleson narrowly missing a trip to Austin and Ella Anttila finishing in the top 20 in the NCAA West Regional.
The top 12 placers in each event earn the right to compete at the NCAA National Championships in Austin.
Burleson moved up to 12th from 14th with her last throw of 53.95 with three throwers remaining. On her last throw – and the final throw of the event – UCLA's Lyvante Su'emai had a throw of 54.63 to push Burleson to 13th.
Two throwers ahead of Burleson had career bests to advance.
"Zoe did everything she could and she threw really well today," said ACU Head Coach Jerrod Cook. "Being that close is a tough way to go out, but it is what she'll take away from this that counts. Very proud of her and I'm looking forward to what she does over the next two years."
Anttila had her best jump on her first attempt, clearing 12.92 meters, which was originally 14th.
"Ella's been sick all week and really battled," said Cook. "Clearing 12.92 – that's about her average and I thought she did a great job."
Saturday marked the end of a successful season that saw eight athletes competing at nine events at the regional.
"It was a great season overall and I'm proud of the athletes that competed all year and the ones who made it here to this meet," said Cook. "I'm excited about the athletes we have returning and pray blessings on the seniors as they move on."
ACU's NCAA West Results
Women's Discus: 13. Zoe Burleson, 53.95
Men's 200M: 18. Jack Marshall, 20.91
Women's Triple Jump: 19. Ella Anttila, 12.92
Men's Discus: 34. Nathanial Collier, 53.59
Women's Long Jump: 36. Payton Kirk, 5.89
Men's Long Jump: 38. 7.15
Men's 400M: 39. Jared Williams, 46.86
Women's Shot Put: 41. Zoe Burleson, 14.77
Men's 110 Hurdles: 43. Jamal January, 14.34
The top 12 placers in each event earn the right to compete at the NCAA National Championships in Austin.
Burleson moved up to 12th from 14th with her last throw of 53.95 with three throwers remaining. On her last throw – and the final throw of the event – UCLA's Lyvante Su'emai had a throw of 54.63 to push Burleson to 13th.
Two throwers ahead of Burleson had career bests to advance.
"Zoe did everything she could and she threw really well today," said ACU Head Coach Jerrod Cook. "Being that close is a tough way to go out, but it is what she'll take away from this that counts. Very proud of her and I'm looking forward to what she does over the next two years."
Anttila had her best jump on her first attempt, clearing 12.92 meters, which was originally 14th.
"Ella's been sick all week and really battled," said Cook. "Clearing 12.92 – that's about her average and I thought she did a great job."
Saturday marked the end of a successful season that saw eight athletes competing at nine events at the regional.
"It was a great season overall and I'm proud of the athletes that competed all year and the ones who made it here to this meet," said Cook. "I'm excited about the athletes we have returning and pray blessings on the seniors as they move on."
ACU's NCAA West Results
Women's Discus: 13. Zoe Burleson, 53.95
Men's 200M: 18. Jack Marshall, 20.91
Women's Triple Jump: 19. Ella Anttila, 12.92
Men's Discus: 34. Nathanial Collier, 53.59
Women's Long Jump: 36. Payton Kirk, 5.89
Men's Long Jump: 38. 7.15
Men's 400M: 39. Jared Williams, 46.86
Women's Shot Put: 41. Zoe Burleson, 14.77
Men's 110 Hurdles: 43. Jamal January, 14.34
Players Mentioned
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