Troy University Athletics
McKenzie earned Troy's first NCAA All-America honor since the Trojans moved every sport to NCAA Division I-A.
McKenzie Finishes Ninth in Hurdles
6/10/2010 5:00:23 PM | Track & Field, Track & Field (M)
Senior named NCAA All-America for his performance
EUGENE, Ore. - Troy University senior Leander McKenzie finished ninth in the semifinals of the 110-meter hurdles Thursday night at the NCAA Championships, missing the finals by just 0.03 seconds overall.
Although he missed the finals, McKenzie still earned All-America status with his finish and will enter the record books as the first NCAA Division I-A All-America in track and field for Troy University. He did so running in front of the biggest crowd in Heyward Stadium history at 11,000 on Thursday night.
"To finish as the ninth best runner in the nation is outstanding," Troy Director of Track and Field Jill Lancaster said. "He ran a very impressive race tonight, we were worried coming in about the runners around him knocking hurdles down and distracting him. Leander represented the program and the university well here at the national championships."
The senior, running in the fastest heat of the semifinals, finished with a time of 13.72 seconds - finishing fifth in his heat. The NCAA takes the two fastest times from each of the three heats, followed by the two next fastest times overall.
McKenzie finished just behind Jeffrey Julmis of Kansas State for the eighth and final spot in the finals, as Julmis crossed the line in a time of 13.69 seconds. In his heat, McKenzie finished behind Barrett Nugent of LSU, Andrew Riley of Illinois, Oscar Spurlock of USC and Julmis. The next fastest time after McKenzie was put in by Jansen Hyde of Texas Tech at 13.75 seconds.
The senior finished his career by finishing higher than what he entered ranked in the meet, after running in just two meets prior to the national championships in the hurdles.
The Trojans will now wait until Saturday for their other participant at the National Championships, senior Lamontrey Stamper, to jump in the long jump. The meet will be featured on CBS Saturday afternoon as part of the national championship package.
Although he missed the finals, McKenzie still earned All-America status with his finish and will enter the record books as the first NCAA Division I-A All-America in track and field for Troy University. He did so running in front of the biggest crowd in Heyward Stadium history at 11,000 on Thursday night.
"To finish as the ninth best runner in the nation is outstanding," Troy Director of Track and Field Jill Lancaster said. "He ran a very impressive race tonight, we were worried coming in about the runners around him knocking hurdles down and distracting him. Leander represented the program and the university well here at the national championships."
The senior, running in the fastest heat of the semifinals, finished with a time of 13.72 seconds - finishing fifth in his heat. The NCAA takes the two fastest times from each of the three heats, followed by the two next fastest times overall.
McKenzie finished just behind Jeffrey Julmis of Kansas State for the eighth and final spot in the finals, as Julmis crossed the line in a time of 13.69 seconds. In his heat, McKenzie finished behind Barrett Nugent of LSU, Andrew Riley of Illinois, Oscar Spurlock of USC and Julmis. The next fastest time after McKenzie was put in by Jansen Hyde of Texas Tech at 13.75 seconds.
The senior finished his career by finishing higher than what he entered ranked in the meet, after running in just two meets prior to the national championships in the hurdles.
The Trojans will now wait until Saturday for their other participant at the National Championships, senior Lamontrey Stamper, to jump in the long jump. The meet will be featured on CBS Saturday afternoon as part of the national championship package.
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