Arizona Track & Field was well represented during the NCAA Championships for that took place June 7-10 in Eugene, Oregon at historic Hayward Field.
The Wildcats sent 15 athletes to compete, distributed across all events. On the first day, senior Aaron Castle took home 15th place overall and second-team All-America honors in the men’s shot put with a toss of 18.67 meters. Continuing the momentum was sophomore Bailey Roth, who clocked the third-fastest time of his career in the 3000-meter steeplechase finishing in 8:42.92, advancing him to the finals held on Saturday, June 10.
On Thursday, June 8, Senior Sage Watson made the fastest time in the nation during the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 54.88, earning her a spot in the finals. The record time was third-fastest in her career, and only .05 seconds off her personal best.
Two Wildcats earned All-American honors on the third day of competition, Friday, June 9. Freshman Justice Summerset earned first-team All-American honors after he finished third overall in the men’s high jump, with his best cleared height at 2.18 meters. Summerset is the first UA freshman to be a first-team All-American. Bailey Roth completed with a time of 8:48.70 in the 3000-meter steeplechase finals, which earned him 11th place and second team All-American honors.
On Saturday, June 10, Sage Watson wrapped up the championship weekend winning at the finals of the women’s 400-meter hurdles, finishing ahead of Pac-12 rivals Anna Cockrell and Amalie Iuel from USC with a time of 54:52 and beating her personal best by .3 seconds.
Track Cats rocked the NCAA Championships by maintaining their season trend of breaking records and surpassing personal bests — a trend they plan to advance into the next season.
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