Not done yet: Pair of seniors advance to NCAA championships

Friday, May 25

Sacramento, CA

2 PM CT

Wisconsin Badgers

NCAA West Preliminary Championships

Photo by: Walt Middleton

Not done yet: Pair of seniors advance to NCAA championships

May 25, 2018 | Women's Track & Field

Amann and Detra make return trips to Eugene after terrific performances on Friday

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Heading into Friday's NCAA West Preliminary Championships, Wisconsin women's track and field seniors Taylor Amann and Brenna Detra both knew that their collegiate careers could end at Hornet Stadium.

But both seniors were able to extend their time with the Badgers as Amann qualified for the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the pole vault while Detra earned a spot at the national championships in the 400 hurdles.

A three-time Big Ten champion in the pole vault, Amann cleared 13 feet, 8 1/2 inches to finish in a tie for eighth at the NCAA West Prelims and was one of 12 athletes to clear the height.

"It feels awesome," Amann said about making it to NCAAs. "I was a bit nervous today. I had a mental block but just going down the runway I had to think that I had to get over the bar. I've been practicing this for a long time now and I just had to get through that and be confident."

"But it feels amazing that I get another opportunity to compete at the national level."

After passing the opening height, Amann cleared 12-10 3/4 on her first attempt before needing two attempts to clear 13-4 1/2 and 13-8 1/2.

"At this meet, the pole vault becomes an endurance event as the field of 48 dwindles by attrition," UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. "It took 2 1/2 hours to get the field down to 12 and all credit to Taylor for making her second NCAA final."

The Hartland, Wisconsin, native has a season-best jump of 14-3 1/2 set at the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Championships and will compete on Thursday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. CT in her final collegiate meet for the Cardinal and White.

Detra will also make her second appearance at the NCAA outdoor meet as the Peoria, Illinois, native used a fantastic close to finish third in her section in a personal-best time of 57.42 seconds to punch her ticket to the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

"Well we've been practicing that last 200 a lot lately," Detra said. "I'm playing to my strengths right now and I know I have a good finish. So as soon as I came off of hurdle six I knew it was show time and I just competed. I was just telling Coach (Kareem) Jackson I completely forgot about hurdling and I just went for it and it felt good, my steps were on and I just finished."

Detra's time ranks No. 2 in program history and was the fifth-fastest time at the NCAA West Prelims.

"I told my mom before the races that I'm not done yet," Detra said. "I've worked too hard just to give it all up now. I've been here before and I've been through this before so that confidence and experience helped a lot. Coach Jackson and (athletic trainer) Kelly (Bachus) have been incredible with me in my rehab the last 10 months and I could not be more happy and excited, it's a dream come true."

Her appearance at Hayward Field on Thursday, June 7 at 8 p.m. will mark the first time she's competed on the historic track since suffering a horrific knee injury at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

"I'm getting pretty emotional thinking about it," Detra said about heading back to Eugene. "The last 10 months were the hardest months of my life and I don't wish this upon anybody. I honestly do think everything happens for a reason and once I learned to embrace my injury that's when everything started to fall into place. I stick to the process and keep my head down and work hard."

"It all worked out and I get my revenge on Hayward Field.

"Brenna's journey from injury one year ago has been challenging, but she continued to work extremely hard and believed that she could return to Eugene," Byrne said. "I'm very happy for her. A lot of athletes in her position might have given up considering the extent of her injury. Not Brenna. I'm excited to see what she does in Eugene next month."

In her NCAA debut, freshman Alissa Niggemann earned a PR in the steeplechase thanks to a time of 10:13.70 to finish ninth in her section and 22nd overall. The Amherst, Wisconsin, native was the top-finishing freshman in the field.

"To have a five-second PR at a national meet is fantastic," Byrne said. "It's hard to believe she's only a freshman and she has a very bright future in the event and for the Badgers."

In the women's discus, junior Hanna Barton placed 16th thanks to a heave of 170-2 while Josie Schaefer was 34th with a toss of 159-5.

In her second appearance at the NCAA West Prelims, sophomore Rayce Albino finished 30th in the women's pole vault after clearing 12-10 3/4.

In the men's discus, senior Josh McDonald finished 34th with a toss of 166-11 and will return to Hornet Stadium on Saturday to throw the shot put at 6:30 p.m.

Up Next:
UW will have a busy final day at the NCAA West Preliminary Championships on Saturday. Haley Showalter starts things for UW at 2 p.m. CT with the women's hammer while Josh McDonald and Chinne Okoronkwo compete in the men's shot put and women's triple jump, respectively, at 6:30 p.m. UW's women's 4x100 relay will compete at 8:15 p.m. CT and Ollie Hoare will race in the 1500 meters at 8:30 p.m. Wrapping up competition will be Joe Hardy and Zack Snider in the men's 5000 meters at 10:05 p.m. and Alicia Monson and Shaelyn Sorensen in the women's 5000 meters at 10:45 p.m.

2018 NCAA West Preliminary Championships
Sacramento, Calif.
May 25, 2018
Women's Results:
400 Hurdles
5. Brenna Detra – 57.42

Steeplechase:
22. Alissa Niggemann – 10:13.70

Pole Vault:
T-8. Taylor Amann – 13-8 ½ (4.18m)
30. Rayce Albino – 12-10 ¾ (3.93m)

Discus:
16. Hanna Barton - 170-2 (51.87m)
34. Josie Schaefer – 159-5 (48.61m)

Men's Results:
Discus:
34. Josh McDonald – 166-11 (50.88m)