Seniors Ross Blanchard (Novato, CA) and Andy Green (Bellevue, WA) led the University of Redlands track & field program during Friday's events at the 2011 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH, by qualifying for the final heat in their respective events.
The Bulldogs' star hurdler, Blanchard proved once again why he is one of the best in the country when he registered the fastest time in the 110m Hurdles during the preliminary round. Edging out Dan Davis of Washington University (MO) by just .01 seconds, Blanchard posted a 14.32 time, which is the fastest of his impressive career. With the top-eight competitors recording times all within .22 seconds, this field of hurdlers promises to give the fans an exciting final race on Saturday afternoon.
Blanchard's 4x100 relay teammate Green also enjoyed a solid day by coming in fifth overall in the 400m prelims with a time of 48.03.
Sophomore Bryan Artmann (Henderson, NV) put together a solid showing at his first national championships, finishing tied for 10th in the Pole Vault. With his 15'11.25" vault, the sophomore just missed his career-high but went over 15 feet for the fifth time this year.
2010 NCAA Cross Country Championship participant senior Jeremy Kalmus (New Orleans, LA) closed out his Maroon and Gray career with a 12th-place finish in the 3000m Steeplechase. Kalmus' time of 9:19.97 was his third fastest of his 2011 campaign.
Senior Kelsey Burmudez (La Verne, CA) wrapped up her Redlands tenure with an 11'7.25" vault, placing her ninth overall in the field. The four-year pole-vaulter launched her 10th mark over 11 feet of the 2011 season, landing her just one spot shy of All-America status.
Fellow senior teammate Kortney Watring (Riverside, CA) found herself in almost the same boat as Burmudez, as she missed out on All-America accolades by just 2'75" in the Triple Jump. Watring went over 37 feet for the third consecutive meet, this time landing in the sand pit with a leap of 37'5".
In other news, Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) member Cal Lutheran University currently sits in a three–way tie for second place with 20 points.
For complete NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship information, please visit http://www.ncaa.com/content/diii-outdoor-track-field