Marshall clocks 12.44 in 100-meter hurdles to ascend to No. 2 in the world this year, Clark runs 22.13 in 200 to elevate to No. 3 global performer, after 10.98 effort in 100 to win heat, with Sturgis improving to No. 6 collegiate competitor following 10.92 performance; Virginia’s Meyer achieves 2:00.40 in 800

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

With every barrier cleared, LSU senior Tonea Marshall is getting one step closer to the collegiate record in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.

And with each curve run by Alabama junior Tamara Clark, the NCAA Division 1 all-time mark becomes more within reach.

Marshall and Clark both elevated to the No. 4 competitors in collegiate history Saturday at the NCAA East Regional at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., setting the stage for potential history to be achieved June 9-12 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Marshall ran a wind-legal 12.44 in the 100 hurdles to also improve to No. 2 in the world this year, in addition to eclipsing the facility record of 12.62 achieved by former Kentucky standout and current world record-holder Keni Harrison in 2015.

Clark achieved an exceptional double in the 100-meter dash and 200, clocking a wind-legal 22.13 in the latter to lower the facility standard of 22.22 run in 2012 by three-time NCAA champion Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU.

Clark elevated to No. 3 in the world this year following a split decision in the 100 and 200 with North Carolina A&T sophomore Cambrea Sturgis, who ran 22.26 in the 200 to ascend to the No. 15 all-time collegiate competitor.

Sturgis ran a wind-legal 10.92 and Clark clocked 10.98 in the 100. Sturgis improved to No. 6 in Division 1 history, with Clark having already run 10.96 in April at the LSU Alumni Gold meet, making her the No. 9 all-time collegiate competitor.

North Carolina A&T demonstrated great depth in the 100, 200 and 100 hurdles, qualifying multiple athletes in all three events.

Sturgis was joined in the 200 by Jonah Ross (22.87) and Kamaya DeBose-Epps (22.91), the latter also earning the final qualifying spot in the 100 at 11.31. Tennessee’s Maia McCoy was the last athlete to advance in the 200 at 23.00.

Marshall led six Southeastern Conference athletes qualifying in the 100 hurdles, including teammate Alia Armstrong (12.97) and final qualifier Rosealee Cooper of Mississippi State at 12.98, with North Carolina A&T taking up three spots following the success of TeJyrica Robinson (12.83), Madeleine Akobundu (12.84) and Paula Salmon (12.89).

LSU and North Carolina A&T also performed well in the 4x100 relay, with the Tigers setting the facility record by clocking 42.63 – eclipsing the mark of 42.93 by Florida in 2015 – and the Aggies also running under the previous standard at 42.92.

Louisiana-Lafayette was the final relay to advance at 44.39.

North Carolina A&T also managed to achieve the final qualifying berth in the 4x400 in 3:34.72, with Florida leading the entries to nationals by running 3:27.51.

Alabama’s success Saturday wasn’t just limited to Clark, as Amaris Tyynismaa led all qualifiers in the 1,500 with a facility record 4:09.48 performance. Tyynismaa smashed the 2015 mark of 4:10.95 achieved by Rhianwedd Price, a former Division 1 champion at Mississippi State.

Georgetown’s Sami Corman was the final athlete to advance at 4:17.67.

Mercy Chelangat prevailed in the 5,000 to secure the top qualifying mark in two events following her 33:06.83 performance Thursday in the 10,000, with teammate Esther Gitahi also advancing in 15:57.48.

Notre Dame’s Maddy Denner achieved the final qualifying spot at 16:07.56, joining teammate Katie Wasserman (15:48.13) in advancing.

Auburn’s Joyce Kimeli qualified in her second event by running 15:56.81, also advancing in the 3,000 steeplechase in 9:50.54, an event won by Furman’s Gabrielle Jennings in 9:40.53.

Butler’s Angelina Ellis was the last athlete to earn a qualifying berth in the 3,000 steeplechase in 10:04.22.

Natassha McDonald also produced the top qualifying mark for Alabama by running 51.03 in the 400, just ahead of Florida’s Talitha Diggs in 11.04. Kentucky’s Megan Moss earned the final berth to race at nationals by clocking 52.13.

Virginia’s Michaela Meyer improved on her own 800 facility record from Thursday’s first round by running 2:00.40, ascending to the No. 9 all-time collegiate competitor.

Eight athletes ran under 2:02, with Troy’s Gemma Finch completing the dozen qualifiers to race at nationals by clocking 2:02.81.

Andrenette Knight of Virginia clocked 56.07 in the 400 hurdles, followed by eight SEC competitors, including LSU teammates Milan Young (56.73), Jurnee Woodward (56.77) and Brittley Humphrey (57.33).

Duke’s Lauren Hoffman completed the group of 12 qualifiers to race in Oregon with her 57.60 effort.

Florida State teammates, senior Shanice Love and freshman Caisia-Marie Lindfors, took the top two spots in the women’s discus throw. Love produced a mark of 200-10 (61.22m) and Lindfors achieved a throw of 192-5 (58.66m), with Liberty junior Chelsea Igberaese earning the final nationals berth at 174-11 (53.32m).

Ohio State’s Adelaide Aquilla and Divine Oladipo, Indiana senior Khayla Dawson, Ole Miss freshman Jalani Davis, Kent State sophomore Gabrielle Bailey and Clemson sophomore Veronica Fraley all qualified in the shot put and discus throw.

Florida State freshman Ruta Lasmane produced a wind-aided mark of 46-5.25 (14.15m) to lead all triple jump qualifiers. Indiana State freshman Ryann Porter secured the final spot to jump in Oregon with a 43-0.50 (13.12m) effort.

Nine athletes cleared 5-11.50 (1.82m) in the high jump, with the remaining three qualifiers making 5-9.75 (1.77m) on their first attempt, including Georgia standout Anna Hall.