Saturday, May 27
Sacramento, CA
6:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
NCAA West Preliminary
Photo by: Catharyn Hayne
Women of Utah Send Three to NCAA Championships to Cap Stellar Weekend
5/27/2023 10:52 PM | Track & Field
The Utah track & field team will send Dinedye Denis, Simone Plourde and Emily Venters to the NCAA Championship.
SACRAMENTO – The Utah track & field team capped off the NCAA West Preliminaries by sending a total of three student-athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships (June 8 & 10) after a successful day on the track at Hornet Stadium Saturday evening.
"What an incredible weekend!" exclaimed head coach Kyle Kepler post meet. "We are excited to advance Dinedye, Emily and Simone in four different events. They all ran superb races. The doubles by Em and Sim were among the best races in the country this weekend."
The three national qualifiers for Utah is the most the program has sent to the NCAA Championships since the turn of the century. The Utes have sent two to the championships in 2022, 2012, 2009, 2007, 2006 and 2004. Additionally, the four events Utah will be competing in is also the most since the turn of the century.
"Almost everyone finished higher than they were ranked coming in if they didn't advance," noted Kepler. "Freshman Erin Vringer came in ranked 101st in the country and just 38th between both regions. Freshmen Harley Daniel and Emily Martin ran like veterans in the 4x4. Freshman Shana had solid jumps in the triple. We set three school records. Josi anchored the relay in a lifetime best split of 51.47. Competing our best when the lights were really bright…that's what it's all about. That's who this group is."
Simone Plourde became the second Ute to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday when she posted a PR run of 4:08.70 at Hornet Stadium in the quarterfinals of the 1500m. Meanwhile, Erin Vringer recorded a time of 4:20.34 in the first section of the race in her first appearance in the NCAA West Prelims.
Dinedye Denis gave the Women of Utah their third NCAA Championships qualifier later on when she ran a PR time of 57.12 in the 400m hurdles to snag the fine time qualifier spot to send her to Austin.
Just before Denis' race, freshman Shana Van Elderen concluded her first season with the Utes in the triple jump. The Brampton, Canada, native recorded a jump of 11.96m (39-3) in her first attempt before leaping a distance of 12.24m (40-2) – which ended up being her best mark of the day.
The dynamic duo of Emily Venters and Plourde gave the crowd at Hornet Stadium a show as the two separated themselves from the pack and went stride-for-stride with one another across the finish line to finish 1-2 to qualify for nationals in the 5000m – the second event for both.
"I'm heartbroken for Bella and the 4x4 as they just missed advancing to Austin," said Kepler. "Bella Williams has been so vital to the growth and success of this program since her arrival six years ago. But above all of her accolades, she is one of the best humans you could ever meet. She is the consummate teammate and leader. I have loved being her coach and am so proud of her and who she is.
Utah's 4x400m relay team consisting of Denis, Emily Martin, Harley Daniel and Josefine Eriksen closed out the night by breaking their own school record with a time of 3:35.00 and just missed out on a time qualifier for nationals.
"Now let's all get behind Amy and softball and get them to the CWS!"
UP NEXT
The Women of Utah will now have just under two weeks to head back, regroup and get ready for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Plourde will start things off for the Utes on Thursday, June 8 in the semifinals of the 1500m at 6:46 p.m. (MT) / 7:46 p.m. (CT) local at Mike A. Meyers Stadium. The entire championships can be seen on ESPN2.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"What an incredible weekend!" exclaimed head coach Kyle Kepler post meet. "We are excited to advance Dinedye, Emily and Simone in four different events. They all ran superb races. The doubles by Em and Sim were among the best races in the country this weekend."
The three national qualifiers for Utah is the most the program has sent to the NCAA Championships since the turn of the century. The Utes have sent two to the championships in 2022, 2012, 2009, 2007, 2006 and 2004. Additionally, the four events Utah will be competing in is also the most since the turn of the century.
"Almost everyone finished higher than they were ranked coming in if they didn't advance," noted Kepler. "Freshman Erin Vringer came in ranked 101st in the country and just 38th between both regions. Freshmen Harley Daniel and Emily Martin ran like veterans in the 4x4. Freshman Shana had solid jumps in the triple. We set three school records. Josi anchored the relay in a lifetime best split of 51.47. Competing our best when the lights were really bright…that's what it's all about. That's who this group is."
Simone Plourde became the second Ute to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday when she posted a PR run of 4:08.70 at Hornet Stadium in the quarterfinals of the 1500m. Meanwhile, Erin Vringer recorded a time of 4:20.34 in the first section of the race in her first appearance in the NCAA West Prelims.
Dinedye Denis gave the Women of Utah their third NCAA Championships qualifier later on when she ran a PR time of 57.12 in the 400m hurdles to snag the fine time qualifier spot to send her to Austin.
Just before Denis' race, freshman Shana Van Elderen concluded her first season with the Utes in the triple jump. The Brampton, Canada, native recorded a jump of 11.96m (39-3) in her first attempt before leaping a distance of 12.24m (40-2) – which ended up being her best mark of the day.
The dynamic duo of Emily Venters and Plourde gave the crowd at Hornet Stadium a show as the two separated themselves from the pack and went stride-for-stride with one another across the finish line to finish 1-2 to qualify for nationals in the 5000m – the second event for both.
The dynamic duo of ?????????? ?????????????? and ???????????? ?????????????? finish 1?-2? in the 5000m race to secure spots in two events at #NCAATF Championships in Austin??#GoUtes | #UtahTFXC pic.twitter.com/a6F1H1v5UD
— Utah T&F/XC (@Utah_trackfield) May 28, 2023
"I'm heartbroken for Bella and the 4x4 as they just missed advancing to Austin," said Kepler. "Bella Williams has been so vital to the growth and success of this program since her arrival six years ago. But above all of her accolades, she is one of the best humans you could ever meet. She is the consummate teammate and leader. I have loved being her coach and am so proud of her and who she is.
Utah's 4x400m relay team consisting of Denis, Emily Martin, Harley Daniel and Josefine Eriksen closed out the night by breaking their own school record with a time of 3:35.00 and just missed out on a time qualifier for nationals.
"Now let's all get behind Amy and softball and get them to the CWS!"
UP NEXT
The Women of Utah will now have just under two weeks to head back, regroup and get ready for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Plourde will start things off for the Utes on Thursday, June 8 in the semifinals of the 1500m at 6:46 p.m. (MT) / 7:46 p.m. (CT) local at Mike A. Meyers Stadium. The entire championships can be seen on ESPN2.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Hurdles
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Hurdles
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400M/800M
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Sprints
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