Published: June 12, 2009 12:07 am         

Hutson advances at NCAA meet; Moore begins heptathlon competition

Fayetteville, Ark. — Indiana State junior Kylie Hutson advanced to the finals of the women’s pole vault at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship late Wednesday night, marking the second straight year that the Sycamore has reached the final round at the NCAA Championship.

On Thursday, Sullivan native Erica Moore stands in 22nd place in the heptathlon through four events. Moore finished the first day of competition with 3,132 points. She is just 243 points out of 10th place and just 351 out of fifth place. Nia Ali of Southern California holds the first day lead with 3,663 points.

“She is pretty close to her pace for a personal best …,” women’s track coach John Gartland said. “The points are really close with two of her best events coming up.”

Today’s action begins at 2:45 p.m. with one of Moore’s strongest events, the long jump. The 800-meter run is the final event and also one of her strongest.

Hutson, a Terre Haute North graduate, was one of eight competitors to clear 13-feet, 51/4 inches in the preliminary round. A total of 16 advanced to the finals which will start at 8 p.m. today. Hutson was successful on her first attempt at each of the opening heights, one of just three athletes to do so.

Hutson tied for ninth a year ago in the NCAA Outdoor Championships and finished 14th in her first NCAA Championship in 2007. Hutson won the NCAA indoor title in March.

Indiana State sophomore Major Clay was not as successful as he missed on each of his attempts at the opening height of 6-8 3/4 in the men’s high jump. This was Clay’s first trip to the NCAA championship in his first season of competition for the Sycamores.

Indiana State junior Lauren Martin will compete in the preliminaries of the women’s triple jump starting at 4 p.m. today. This is her second trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships as she placed 23rd in the triple jump last year.