FAYETTEVILLE – For the second time in as many races, Grace Heymsfield lowered her own school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Thursday evening at the USA Track & Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif. The Elkins, Ark., native clocked a time of 9:48.34 to advance to Saturday’s semifinal round. At 400 meters, Taylor Ellis-Watson also turned in a qualifying performance with a personal-best performance.
Heymsfield finished seventh in the first of two heats of the steeplechase and 12th overall to advance as one of six at-large qualifiers for the next round. Since breaking the school record at the 2013 SEC Championships, she has reset her own mark four times. In the same event, Jessica Kamilos dipped below the 10-minute mark for the second-consecutive race with a time of 9:58.62, good for an 18th-place overall finish.
Running in the first of three first-round heats at 400 meters, Ellis-Watson clocked a lifetime best of 52.19 and advanced to the next round as the fastest at-large qualifier. She finished fifth in her heat and eighth overall. Ellis-Watson has now improved her personal best in three of her last four races. Her season extends to Friday’s semifinal round which is set for a 9:35 p.m. (CT) start.
The Razorback women are also scheduled to be represented Friday evening by Stephanie Brown at 1,500 meters and Sandi Morris in the pole vault. The first round of the 1,500 meters is set for a 9 p.m. start while the pole vault begins at 7:50 p.m. Day three of the USA Championships will be streamed live at usatf.tv with live stats provided by Branch Sports Tech.
For more information on Arkansas women’s track and field, follow @RazorbackWTrack on Twitter.
USA Track & Field Championships
June 26, 2014 [Day 2]
Sacramento, Calif.
400 Meters (1st Round)
8. Taylor Ellis-Watson – 52.19q (PR – previous: 52.48)
3,000m Steeplechase (1st Round)
12. Grace Heymsfield – 9:48.34q (SR – previous: 9:49.01/Heymsfield)
18. Jessica Kamilos – 9:58.62