State colleges: BYU's Shaquille Walker second in 800 meters at NCAA West meet

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TRACK AND FIELD • BYU's Shaquille Walker qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 800 meters by winning his heat and placing second overall in the West Region on Friday night in Austin, Texas.

Iowa State's Edward Kemboi had the fastest time (1 minute, 46.23 seconds), with Walker — a sophomore from Richmond Hill, Ga. — finishing in 1:47.30.

BYU's Kelsey Brown-Gilbert, a senior, ran her best race of the season, finishing the women's 800 meters in 2:05.55 and clinching the 12th and final spot at the NCAA Championships. Shea Martinez also advanced to nationals, racing in the same heat as Brown-Gilbert. She stayed stride for stride with the leaders until the final few meters, finishing third in the heat with a time of 2:05.17.

Utah State's Cole Lambourne, a Riverton native, placed sixth in the 400 meters in 46.10 seconds, while Texas A&M's Deon Lendore won in 45.40. By placing in the top 12, Lambourne punched his ticket to the finals in Eugene, Ore., June 10-13. Lambourne finished third in his heat.

Fellow sprinter Parker Bluth advanced to the quarterfinals of the 200 meters when he finished 17th overall with a time of 20.94 in the event on Friday. The junior will look to earn his ticket to Eugene on Saturday night.

Utah Valley's Nicholas Taylor finished 16th in the 100 meters in 10.31 seconds. Baylor's Trayvon Bromell won in 9.93.

Weber State's Mike Hardy got a berth to the NCAAs in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing second in 8:43.99. This will be Hardy' second trip to the championships. BYU senior Steve Flint clinched his spot at nationals after taking eighth place in the race with a time of 8:49.21.

In the 400-meter hurdles, Mark Carlson's career-best 50.77 placed him third in his heat and 10th overall, adding another championship berth to Eugene for the Cougars. Carlson entered as the 13 seed but put together two of his best races of the season to secure his spot.