University of Illinois
NCAA West Prelims
Choquette, McKeeman Conclude Illini Careers on Day 2 of Prelims
May 25, 2018 | Women's Track & Field
Illini 4x100m relay on deck for Saturday competition
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Illinois graduate student Nicole Choquette and redshirt junior Sara McKeeman concluded their Illinois track and field careers on Friday at NCAA West Prelims. Choquette competed in the 800m quarterfinal final, while McKeeman contested the pole vault.
Making it to the West Prelims quarterfinal for the first time in her career, Choquette timed 2:07.33 that nearly duplicated the time she set on Thursday to advance out of the first round. The time placed her 17th overall, short of the top-12 qualifying spots.
Choquette reached the NCAA West quarterfinal with her second best time of the season on Thursday evening. Racing in heat six, Choquette earned the top at-large bid with a time of 2:07.30.
An Urbana, Illinois native, the 2018 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient was making her third appearance at NCAA Prelims after finishing a career-best fourth in the 800m at Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Indoors, Choquette won the 2015 Big Ten 600m title and medaled in the 800m in 2016 and 2018.
In the pole vault, McKeeman was making her NCAA Prelims debut on Friday where she cleared the opening height of 12'4.75" (3.78m) on her first attempt. The redshirt junior was unable to clear the following bar, 12'10.75" (3.93m).
Hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, McKeeman had her best collegiate season this year with a fifth-place finish at Big Ten Indoor Championships with a new personal best, and then reset the personal record at the Illinois Twilight with a height of 13'5.75" (4.11m) that qualified her for this weekend's prelims.
On Saturday, the Illini will conclude NCAA Prelims with the 4x100m relay at 8:15 p.m. central time. The Illini last reached NCAA Finals in the event in 2016.
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Illinois NCAA Prelims Schedule (All Times Central)
Saturday, May 26
8:15pm – Women's 4x100m Relay – Rogers, Davis, Hargrove, Driver, Aduma
Illinois NCAA Prelims Results:
800m First Round:
13. Nicole Choquette, 2:07.30 q
800m Quarterfinal:
17. Nicole Choquette, 2:07.33
400m First Round:
41. Chisom Nwoko, 55.25
1500m First Round:
40. Rebecca Craddock, 4:31.72
Pole Vault:
32. Sara McKeeman, 12'4.75" (3.78m)
