Trio of OSU Track and Field Athletes Advance for National Championships

Friday, May 24

Sacramento, California

All Day

Oklahoma State University

NCAA West Regionals

Trio of OSU Track and Field Athletes Advance for National Championships

May 25, 2019 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

SACRAMENTO—Ryan Smeeton, Ashton Hicks and Aaliyah Birmingham earned bids to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the Oklahoma State track and field teams at the West Regional on Friday night.

Smeeton controlled the 3,000-meter steeplechase and ran in the front for nearly the whole race, but slipped and fell in the water pit with about 500 meters remaining in the 3,000-meter race. The Canadian Cowboy got up and moved back into the top three.

He finished his heat in third place and earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Dave Smith said he was stressed when the fall happened, but was (pleased) with Smeeton's qualifying berth.

"I asked him why he didn't get up quicker and he said, 'It's because I didn't practice that.'" Smith said. "That's the thing with the steeplechase, these (falls) can happen. There's 35 chances to have bad luck.

"He was cool and calm as he got back up and got to the finish line, I feel good about that. He's in pretty good form and is going to be a contender in Austin."

Hicks ran a 400-meter time of 45.99 and finished third in his heat to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Hicks has now advanced to the NCAA Championships twice in as many tries. He was a second team All-American in the 400 meters at the indoor championships in March.

Birmingham also advanced to the semifinal round in Austin. She ran the 400 meters in 52.35, but finished fifth in her heat. Birmingham was one of the three fastest non-automatic qualifiers, so she advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Birmingham's appearance in Austin will be the first time she runs in an NCAA Championship.

"I really want to congratulate Ashton Hicks and Aaliyah Birmingham as well as coach (Giles) McDonnell," Smith said. "He has done a great job with that 400-meters crew, and he's got a young group, but he has proven himself to be one of the best 400-meter coaches in the country in my mind.

"I'm thrilled for them and what they have in store for the long run."

OSU picks up action Saturday with the women's 1,500 meters at 8:30 p.m. The Cowgirls have four athletes with a chance to qualify for the 1,500-meter semifinals.

"Those 1,500-meter girls have been the core of our program, and I'm really excited to see some fifth-year seniors in Molly Sughroue and Jenny Martinez (Celis)," Smith said. "Sinclaire (Johnson) looks like one of the best in the country right now, and we think Ariane Ballner has a great shot to go.

"I think we have four girls good enough to go, but getting all four through will be tough."

Both the men's and women's 4X400-meter relay teams run with an opportunity to race in Austin. No OSU 4X400-meter relay has raced at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Men's Individual Results

400 Meters
12. Ashton Hicks – 45.99Q

3,000-Meter Steeplechase
11. Ryan Smeeton – 8:41.14Q

Women's Individual Results

400 Meters
8. Aaliyah Birmingham – 52.35q