Williams Advances to 200m NCAA Finals

Wednesday, June 6

Eugene, Ore. / Hayward Field

University of Tennessee

NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

June 06, 2018 | Track & Field

EUGENE, Ore. — Tennessee junior Mustaqeem Williams advanced to his first final Wednesday to begin the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.

Williams won the second semifinal heat of the 200-meter dash to earn an automatic qualifying spot in 20.23 seconds. He will be the second-seeded runner in Friday's final and will look to pick up more hardware in the event after collecting the silver medal at the SEC championships earlier this season.

The result was a definite bounce back for Williams, who placed 20th in the 100-meter semifinals an hour before (10.28).

Two Vols earned second-team All-America performances for their performances Wednesday.

Senior Nathan Strother fell short of the 400-meter finals but picked up second-team All-America honors with a 12th-place finish in 45.72 seconds. He has reached the NCAA final site in the event all four years of his career, notably taking fifth as a sophomore.

Freshman Jordan West placed 12th in the shot put to earn his first career All-America accolades. His best mark was 19.43m (63-9) on his third attempt.

The Lady Vols start the championships Thursday with six individuals competing in seven events. Junior Stamatia Scarvelis leads off the day at 4:30 p.m. Eastern (1:30 p.m. Pacific) with the hammer. Running events begin at 7:02 p.m. Eastern (4:02 p.m. Pacific) with the 4x100m relay.

Attendance for Wednesday's opening day was 9,767.

NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Wednesday's Tennessee Results
100m (Semifinals): 20. Mustaqeem Williams, 10.28 (-0.9)

400m (Semifinals): 12. Nathan Strother, 45.72

Shot Put (final): 12. Jordan West, 19.43m (63-9)

200m (Semifinals): 2. Mustaqeem Williams, 20.23 (+1.0)

4x400m Relay (Semifinals): 20. Tennessee (McConico, Harris, Elion, Strother), 3:08.11

Thursday's Schedule
(All Times Pacific)
1:30 pm - Hammer - Stamatia Scarvelis
4:02 pm - 4x100m Semifinals
5:02 pm - 100m Hurdles Semifinals - Alexis Duncan
5:16 pm - 100m Semifinals - Shania Collins
5:30 pm - 400m Semifinals - Lenysse Dyer, Felecia Majors
6:14 pm - 200m Semifinals - Shania Collins, Maia McCoy
7:18 pm - 4x400m Semifinals