Pedrya Seymour Clocks 8.19 in 60m Hurdles at NCAAs

Friday, March 11

Birmingham, Ala.

All Day

University of Illinois

NCAA Indoor Championships

March 11, 2016 | Women's Track & Field

#Illini Sophomore Places 13th Overall

Full Results

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – Fighting Illini hurdler Pedrya Seymour competed in the 60m hurdles semifinals this evening at NCAA Indoor Championships. The sophomore clocked an 8.19 time to place sixth in her heat. Unfortunately, Seymour placed 13^th overall and did not qualify for tomorrow's event final.

"The last few weeks, she's gone through a lot and for her to maintain the level of focus that she has, and be able to keep herself composed, says a lot about her character and the athlete she is," said Associate Head Coach Randy Gillon. "She came to this meet with great focus, knowing what she's been through, I'm extremely proud of her. It's going to set up very nicely for the next couple of weeks going into the outdoor season."

The 8.19 time was Seymour's second-fastest time, coming up just shy of her 8.16 time at Big Ten Championships two weeks ago. Overall, the Illini hurdler has seen significant growth this season after missing last season due to injury. Seymour won the 60m hurdles at three meets this season, placed third at Big Ten Championships, and made her first appearance at an NCAA Championships meet.

Hailing from Nassau, Bahamas, Seymour will turn her attention to the IAAF World Indoor Track & Field Championships in Portland, Oregon next Friday. Upon returning to Champaign-Urbana, she will look to use her indoor success as a springboard for the outdoor slate.

Indoor NCAA Championships concludes tomorrow for the Orange & Blue with Big Ten runner-up Kandie Bloch-Jones competing in the high jump. The Illini junior's 6-0^1/2 (1.83m) mark is tied for the 13^th-best mark in the nation. She placed 13^th at the Indoor NCAA meet two years ago as a freshman.