University of North Texas Athletics
Gonzalez Advances to NCAA Finals
5/26/2021 11:09:00 PM | Track & Field/XC
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Michael Gonzalez became the first North Texas pole vaulter to qualify for the NCAA Championships in 12 years with his Mean Green record height of 5.45 meters Wednesday at the West Preliminaries hosted by Texas A&M inside E.B. Cushing Stadium.
With his 10th place finish, Gonzalez will be the first overall Mean Green representative at the NCAA Finals since 2016. The 2021 NCAA Championships take place in Eugene, Oregon, June 9-12.
The height of 5.45 meters outdid Jordan Wehr's 2009 preliminary performance by nearly a foot and surpassed Wehr's old UNT mark of 5.35 meters, also set that season.
"It's been a long season," Gonzalez said. "A lot of different things have had to come together, and finally at the end of the season, after last week's conference meet, I was able to line it up there. I went out and showed out and tried my best. I wasn't really focusing on the bar. I was just focusing on hitting it and making it over, and it all just worked out today."
"I'm very proud of Michael. He's worked very hard, put in a lot of work and believed in himself," assistant coach Derek Mackel said. "The last month of training has just gone really well. I'm excited and very happy for him."
Davonye Jones competed in a pair of events on opening day. He ran the 200-meter dash in 21.01 seconds to finish 30th and was 39th in the 100 in a time of 10.49. Also in the 100, Karlington Anunagba ran a 10.42 for 32nd.
Zion Hill finished 37th in javelin with a mark of 56.75 meters.
The Mean Green are off Thursday and return Friday beginning with Karl Sralla in the discus throw at 1:30 p.m. The men's 4x100-meter relay team opens the track events at 5:30 before Jack Beaumont takes the stage in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 6:10. The men's 4x400 quad wraps up the day's competition at 9:15.
With his 10th place finish, Gonzalez will be the first overall Mean Green representative at the NCAA Finals since 2016. The 2021 NCAA Championships take place in Eugene, Oregon, June 9-12.
The height of 5.45 meters outdid Jordan Wehr's 2009 preliminary performance by nearly a foot and surpassed Wehr's old UNT mark of 5.35 meters, also set that season.
"It's been a long season," Gonzalez said. "A lot of different things have had to come together, and finally at the end of the season, after last week's conference meet, I was able to line it up there. I went out and showed out and tried my best. I wasn't really focusing on the bar. I was just focusing on hitting it and making it over, and it all just worked out today."
"I'm very proud of Michael. He's worked very hard, put in a lot of work and believed in himself," assistant coach Derek Mackel said. "The last month of training has just gone really well. I'm excited and very happy for him."
Davonye Jones competed in a pair of events on opening day. He ran the 200-meter dash in 21.01 seconds to finish 30th and was 39th in the 100 in a time of 10.49. Also in the 100, Karlington Anunagba ran a 10.42 for 32nd.
Zion Hill finished 37th in javelin with a mark of 56.75 meters.
The Mean Green are off Thursday and return Friday beginning with Karl Sralla in the discus throw at 1:30 p.m. The men's 4x100-meter relay team opens the track events at 5:30 before Jack Beaumont takes the stage in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 6:10. The men's 4x400 quad wraps up the day's competition at 9:15.
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Track & Field/XC
Distance
/ Track & Field/XC
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field/XC
Throws
/ Track & Field/XC
Sprints
/ Track & Field/XC
Throws
/ Track & Field/XCThursday, May 02
Monday, April 10
Friday, July 08
Friday, July 08