Abdi, Fincham-Dukes End Careers With All-America Honors

Wednesday, June 5

Austin, Texas

All Day

Oklahoma State University

NCAA Outdoor Championships

June 05, 2019 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

AUSTIN—Hassan Abdi and Jacob Fincham-Dukes finished fifth in their respective events to earn All-America awards in their final competitions for the Oklahoma State men's track and field teams on the first day of competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Abdi methodically made his way up through the field of 24 athletes, moving from the back of the pack to the front of it with a move that started at the 2,400-meter mark and ended at the 6,000-meter mark.

Abdi stayed in the front pack of about seven as far as 9,500 meters into the race. He finished the race in fifth and earned his fourth All-America award. It was Abdi's first All-America honor in the outdoor season.

"I think the heat effected the outcome of the race, but it effected everybody," said Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Dave Smith. "He did a good job of executing a patient race plan and staying out of trouble. He put himself in position to win and that's all you can ask.

"What a career he had here. What an impact he's had on our program. It's sad that it's the last time he'll run in an OSU uniform, but at the same time, we're really proud of him."

Jacob Fincham-Dukes finished fifth in the long jump. He set the school record in the event on his third jump with a mark of 8.00m/26-3. He beat his own school record by four centimeters, which was set earlier this year at the National Relay Championships.

"I think Jacob put himself in a corner with two fouls on his first two jumps," Smith said. "That's pretty stressful to have no mark with one mark to go, and then he had the best jump of his career. I thought he did a great job of not letting the pressure or gravity of the moment get to him.

"I'm proud of him. He went out with a PR and a new school record."

Fincham-Dukes earned his second first team All-America honor this year. He finished fourth in the indoor long jump in March.

Fincham-Dukes became the first Cowboy long jumper to finish as a first team All-American during the outdoor season with his fifth-place finish.

Ryan Smeeton, the NCAA leader in the steeplechase, won his heat and advanced to the final on Friday. Smeeton won his heat with a time of 8:53.71.

Smeeton is one of 12 competitors in the final NCAA steeplechase race of the season. He is going up against defending champion Obsa Ali of Minnesota and Pac-12 champion Steven Fahy.

"I think it was so hot, it didn't matter whether the race was fast or slow, it was a hard race," Smith said. "All of the guys in his heat are good, but it was hard for everybody. He has to gather himself and recover and rest. If he runs another race like he did today, he'll be in contention.

"Today showed us the unthinkable can happen, so there are no 'gimmes.' Everyone is in the same spot and everyone starts at zero, so he's got to earn it again, and I think he's shown he can compete well."

Ashton Hicks failed to advance after finishing seventh in his heat of the 400 meters. He crossed the line with a time of 46.53. Hicks earned honorable mention All-America honors with his performance.

Hicks advanced to the NCAA Championships in both the indoor and outdoor seasons in his true freshman year.

The men's 3,000-meter steeplechase final is the only remaining event for the Cowboys. It will be run at 7:54 p.m. on Friday.

Next up for OSU track and field is the semifinals of the women's 400 and 1,500 meters. The semifinals of the 1,500 meters will be contested at 7:16 p.m. on Thursday, and the semifinals of the 400 meters will start at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Men's Individual Results

400 Meters
19. Ashton Hicks – 46.53

3,000 Meter-Steeplechase
7. Ryan Smeeton – 8:53.71Q

10,000 Meters
5. Hassan Abdi – 29:20.73

Long Jump
5. Jacob Fincham-Dukes – 8.00m/26-3