Blue Devil Quartet Punch Tickets to NCAA Outdoor Championships

Wednesday, May 22

Lexington, Ky.

All Day

Duke University

Day One at NCAA East Regional

Simen Guttormsen hype after clearing pole vault height

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Blue Devil Quartet Punch Tickets to NCAA Outdoor Championships

5/22/2024 11:53:00 PM | Track & Field

Day 1 Results (PDF)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Duke track and field turned in a solid day of competition at the NCAA East Regional on Wednesday as the Blue Devils kicked off the four-day regional meet with the graduate student quartet of Simen Guttormsen, Christian Johnson, Ezra Mellinger and Aimar Palma Simo punching their respective tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

TOP PERFORMANCES

A delayed start due to inclement weather conditions wouldn't hinder the Wednesday performances for Duke as Christian Johnson and Aimar Palma Simo helped set the tone for the day, securing their spots at the NCAA Outdoor Championships after finishing in the top five of the preliminaries of the men's hammer throw.
Palma Simo registered the highest mark of the first round as he came through with a clutch throw of 69.39m (227-8 feet) on his third attempt to slot himself atop the 45-person field. Johnson also made his third toss the charm, launching the hammer 67.29m (220-9 feet) to register the fourth-furthest throw of the competition.
Simen Guttormsen advanced to the national meet after finishing third in the first round of the men's pole vault. He passed on the first three heights then cleared the next two on his third and first attempts, respectively, before bowing out with a final clearance of 5.42m (17-9.25 feet).
Ezra Mellinger locked down his spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships via a solid showing in the men's long jump, flying out to 7.54m (24-9 feet) on his third attempt to finish among the top 12.

2024 NCAA Outdoor Championship Qualifiers

Simen Guttormsen – Pole Vault
Christian Johnson – Hammer Throw
Ezra Mellinger – Long Jump
Aimar Palma Simo – Hammer Throw
Brianna Smith – Heptathlon

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