University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
NCAA Championships
Three Panthers Advance On First Day Of NCAA Championships
6/10/2009 8:00:00 AM | Track and Field
June 10, 2009
Complete Results |
Quotes |
Photo Gallery 
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Seniors Tyler Mulder and Cory Goos advanced to the semifinal round in their respective events at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Wednesday in Fayetteville, Ark. Senior Mat Clark sits in seventh place in the men's decathlon standings through the first five events.
“Overall we had a great first day,” head coach Travis Geopfert said. “I was extremely pleased with the way all the kids competed, especially Terrance Reid in the 400 meters after a three hour rain delay. These guys have been here before and they know what to do, they've done a great job so far.”
Mulder, a seven-time All-American, qualified for the semifinal round in the 800 meter dash, clocking in a season-best time of 1:48.00. Mulder clocked in the second-fastest time in his heat and seventh-fastest overall.
Penn State's Ryan Foster recorded the fastest first round time, crossing in 1:47.57.
“I just wanted to qualify for the next round, finish in the top three in my heat,” Mulder said. “I got that done, so I'm happy. The Baylor guy (Chris Gowell) kind of pushed the pace towards the end so I had to push it a little more than I wanted. Overall it was a good race, I felt good and I feel good going into tomorrow.”
Goos, a three-time All-American, reached the semifinal round in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking in a career-best 50.59 to finish third in his heat. The West Liberty, Iowa native heads into the semifinal round with the 12th fastest time.
Lee Moore of Mississippi recorded the fastest first round time, clocking in at 49.87.
Greg Offerman finished fifth in his heat in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking in at 51.85 and did not advance to the next round.
After over a three hour rain and lightning delay, Reid, a seven-time All-American, returned the track and clocked in the second-fastest time in his heat, finishing the 400 meter dash in 46.21 and advancing to the semifinal round with the eighth-fastest time.
Florida State's Jonathan Borlee recorded the fastest 400 meter time, clocking in at 45.50.
“It felt great,” Reid said. ”I wanted to get through the rounds, make it to the semifinals and back to the finals. We'll go from there tomorrow.”
In the decathlon, Clark, a two-time All-American, racked up 4,023 points through the first five events, just 52 points behind Nebraska's Bjorn Barrefors in sixth with 4,075 points.
“I started out really well in the 100 meters and long jump and then I kind of went downhill in my next three events,” Clark said. “I still did well enough though to keep myself in the game and hopefully tomorrow will be better.”
Clark opened the first day with a season-best time in the 100 meter dash, clocking in the fifth-fastest time of 10.80 for 906 points. The senior then followed with a career-best leap of 23-11 ¾ in the long jump to pick up 888 points.
The Ames, Iowa native heaved 39-11 ¼ for 617 points in the shot put followed by a leap of 6-05 in the high jump to gain 767 points. Clark wrapped up day one with a time of 49.35 in the 400 meter dash.
Oregon's Ashton Eaton leads the decathlon pack with 4,367 points.
The Panthers return to the track tomorrow, with Clark kicking off the second and final day of the decathlon at 11:15 a.m. with the 110-meter hurdles. Running events for the Panthers will begin at 7 p.m. with the semifinal round of the 400-meter hurdles.
Players Mentioned
