Revised schedule | Championship Central | Live Results
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Fighting Illini junior high jumper Kandie Bloch-Jones placed eighth overall at today's NCAA West Prelims to qualify for NCAA Championships. It's the fourth time that Bloch-Jones has qualified for the NCAA championship round, and the second time during the outdoor season.
"I felt it went pretty well," said Bloch-Jones. "I knew I had some higher jumps in me, so it's just positives for me since I've had a rough outdoor season. I'm excited [the season] is extended and that I can work on things for the meet in Eugene."
With the event beginning height progression at 5'5.25" (1.66m), Bloch-Jones cleared the bar on her first attempt. The junior again cleared the next two heights to reach 5'9.25" (1.76m) without a single miss. However, the junior came up short at 5'10.25" (1.80m), placing her eighth overall. Â
"It was good to see her clear those heights today," said Head Coach Ron Garner. "I liked the way she carried herself through the meet. There were a lot of changes, moving the event indoors, that could have created a distraction, but she persevered and the results show that."
In the lone track event for the Illini today, Valerie Bobart finished the 3,000m steeplechase in 10:45.87. The time placed her 34th overall, improving upon her seed by 13 spots.
The Orange & Blue concluded day one with Jennifer DeBellis competing in the pole vault.
DeBellis opened the evening with a first-attempt clearance at 12'6.75" (3.83m). After failing to clear 13'0.25 (3.97m) on her first attempt, the senior redeemed herself on her second attempt to advance. However, the Illini vaulter was unable to clear 13'6.25" (4.12m) on her three attempts. Her final mark of 13'0.25" placed her 34th overall in the competition.
Next up: NCAA Prelims Day 2
The Fighting Illini will wrap up NCAA West Prelims tomorrow morning with the 4x100m relay and the 100m hurdles. Like the track events today, the hurdles competition will be contested as a quarterfinal with the heat winners advancing along with the next six best times.
Full Illinois Results:
High Jump:
8. Kandie Bloch-Jones – 5'9.25" (1.76m) q
3,000m Steeplechase
34. Valerie Bobart – 10:45.87
Pole Vault
34 – Jennifer DeBellis – 13'6.25" (3.97m)
