Track & Field 2k21: NCAA East Prelim

Cambrea Sturgis became just the second women's sprinter in HBCU history to finish the 100 meters in less than 11 seconds when she recorded the top time of 10.92 at the NCAA Preliminary East Round, May 29.

Sturgis topped her former teammate Kayla White's 2019 time of 10.96 to become the fastest woman in the history of North Carolina A&T, the MEAC and tied for fifth place all-time in the NCAA. Sturgis won the 100 and 200 meters at the MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 8. At the East prelim, she captured gold in the 100 and silver in the 200 meters at 22.26.

Sturgis topped Alabama's Tamara Clark who ran an outstanding time of 10.98, which was just under her personal best time of 10.96.

100 Meters Semifinals at NCAA East Preliminary Round

Cambrea Sturgis, North Carolina A&T, 10.92

Tamara Clark, Alabama, 10.98

Jayla Kirkland, Florida State, 11.17

Symone Mason, LSU, 11.03

Maia McCoy, Tennessee, 11.12

Alfreda Steele, Miami, 11.15

Anavia Battle, Ohio State, 11.21

Melissa Jefferson, Coastal Carolina, 11.22

The 200 meters at the NCAA Preliminary East Round had the same top two finishers as the 100 meters but it was Alabama's Tamara Clark placing ahead of North Carolina A&T's Cambrea Sturgis. Clark won with a time of 22.13, which is the best time of her career and the best time in all of the NCAA. The runner-up and third place finishers are also number two and three in the NCAA. Sturgis crossed the finish line at 22.26 and Ohio State's Anavia Battle clocked in at 22.28. Clark is looking to win her first national championship in the 200 meters. She was a runner-up in the 200 at this year's and 2019's indoor championships.

200 Meters Semifinals at NCAA East Preliminary Round (Top Eight Finishers)

Tamar Clark, Alabama, 22.13

Cambrea Sturgis, North Carolina A&T, 22.26

Anavia Battle, Ohio State, 22.28

Favour Ofili, LSU, 22.30

Symone Mason, LSU, 22.49

Caisja Chandler. Cincinnati, 22.79

Alfreda Steele, Miami, 22.80

Melissa Jefferson, Coastal Carolina, 22.95

Other notes from NCAA Preliminary East Preliminary Round

Two players from the Mid American Conference placed in the top eight and qualified for the NCAA championship meet in the women's hammer competition. Bowling Green Kaila Butler placed fifth with a conference record throw of 65.71. After winning the Mid American Conference outdoor title in 2019, she made it placed 12th in the preliminary round before making it to the national meet where she was 12 as well. This year she fouled on all of her throws at the Mid American Conference championship meet. This year's conference winner was Quiara Wheeler at Central Michigan. At the East Preliminary Round she placed eighth with a career best throw of 64.90.

South Alabama's Autavia Fluker won the preliminary title with a throw of 70.02. Ohio State's Sade Olatoye was the runner-up at 66.77.

LSU's Tonea Marshall dominated the 100-meter hurdles at 12.44, The senior ran the best time of her career and has the top time in the NCAA. Marshall has not lost a 100-meter hurdles race in all of 2021. Three North Carolina A&T hurdlers placed in the top six. TeJyrica Robinson was second at 12.83, Madeleine Akobundu was fourth at 12.84 and Paula Salmon was sixth at 12.89.

Nine jumpers crossed the mark of 1.82 in the high jump East Preliminary Round. None of those jumpers made it beyond that height as South Carolina' Rachel Glenn and Eastern Michigan's Quintella Johnson won the competition as the duo didn't miss an attempt on their way to 1.82.

Jacksonville's Kristi Snyman was third with one miss at 1.77 before clearing the height. Kentucky's Annika Williams made 1.77 on her third jump, placing fourth. Both Snyman and Williams made 1.82 on their first attempt, but fifth place Sanaa Barnes of Villanova cleared the height on her second attempt after not having a miss in the previous two heights.

Georgia's Shelby Tyler made 1.77 and 1.82 on her second attempts to finish sixth. LSU's Abigail O'Donoghue had her first two misses of the meet at 1.82 before clearing the height on her final attempt, leading to a seventh place finish tie with Esther Isa of Middle Tennessee, who also made 1.82 after not clearing on her first two attempts. Cincinnati's Taylor Beard was ninth of all of the competitors who cleared 1.82. She had one miss each at 1.72 and 1.77 and missed twice at 1.82 before crossing the bar and qualifying for the NCAA championship meet.