2017 NCAA West Friday Results

AUSTIN, Texas–South Dakota freshman pole vaulter Chris Nilsen joins teammate Emily Grove in qualifying for the NCAA Championships after Friday's competition at the 2017 NCAA West Preliminary at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
 
The duo stood atop the NCAA men's and women's pole vault standings for three weeks during the outdoor season. Nilsen remains at the top of the leaderboards headed into the championship meet with his personal best height of 18-9 ½. South Dakota is one of three schools, joining Texas and Kansas, to advance both a male and female vaulter to the NCAA Championships.
 
Nilsen was one of 11 men to clear 17-6 ½ to advance to Eugene with the 12th spot filled by an Oklahoma vaulter who cleared 17-2 ¾ with fewer misses during the competition. Nilsen becomes USD's 17th entry to the NCAA Outdoor Championships since 2011. He will compete on Wednesday, June 7.
 
Freshman Ethan Bray placed 28th in the pole vault competition with a clearance of 16-10 ¾.
 
Competing in her first NCAA West Preliminary meet, junior Shanice Cannigan clocked 13.98 seconds for 41st in the 100-meter hurdles.
 
South Dakota wraps up day three of the NCAA West Preliminary on Saturday with events beginning at 1 p.m.