SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Concluding the NCAA West Prelims on a high note, senior Kyle Clancy had another drama-filled day to make history at UC Davis, and qualified for the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas in the 110m hurdles. Fellow senior jumpers Drew Xandrine-Anderson and Drake Foote wrapped up outstanding careers in an Aggie uniform, competing in the men's triple jump and men's high jump, respectively.
After tying for the last qualifying spot out of Friday's first round of the 110m hurdles, Clancy was advanced to make 25 total competitors competing for 12 tickets to Austin, Texas, rather than the usual 24. Racing in the very first heat, Clancy hit a major lifetime best, breaking the 14-second barrier for the first time in his career, crossing in 13.87, and fifth in his heat. In a notably fast heat, Clancy's time held as the second-overall time qualifier, earning him his first trip to the national meet with the 10th-fastest time of the quarterfinal round. The 13.87 now stands as second-all time in UC Davis history, and makes Clancy the first male track athlete to qualify since 2011, and the first in the 110m hurdles in the Aggies' Division I history.
"When I saw my time," said Clancy, "I was just so happy that I broke 14, and that it was a great PR. Immediately after that I started thinking, 'I hope it holds!' It was a mix of happiness and nervous for the next two heats. When I heard that I had qualified, I ran down in front of the entire crowd screaming, and ran down to give my mom a hug."
UC Davis Director of Cross Country & Track and Field — and hurdle specialist — Rahn Sheffield was nothing but confident in Clancy's hurdle abilities.
"I believe Kyle did a great job with his training," remarked Sheffield. "His focus was incredible this year. What took place today did not happen by chance; he worked hard for everything he achieved this year."
Assistant coach Marshall Ackley added on, saying "four years ago, Rahn told Kyle that he was a 13-second runner, and today he proved that and punched his ticket to Texas. This is not only the first time he advances to the NCAA Track & Field Championships, but this is the first time a men's track student-athlete accomplished this in UC Davis' Division I era in the short hurdles. We are extremely proud of him."
Earlier in the day, Clancy and Drake Foote both highlighted the men's high jump, as both bettered their qualifying marks for season and personal bests. The Aggies finished the event clearing 2.11m (6-11), which was a season best for Clancy, and a new personal best for Foote. Foote now moves up to sit alone at fifth all-time in the UC Davis record books, and concluded his first appearance at the NCAA regional in 16th place, based on attempts.
Clancy found himself in yet another tie, but this one was with five other competitors for the final three spots in the high jump, as all six had cleared the opening three bar heights on the first attempt. Unfortunately, the three-time Big West champion in the event was not one of the three athletes to clear 2.13m (6-11.75), and just missed qualifying.
Also in competition was Xandrine-Anderson as the highest-seeded Aggie entering the meet, representing UC Davis in the men's triple jump. Xandrine-Anderson finished 32nd overall on a 14.90m (48-10.75) first attempt.
Clancy will be joining fellow senior and UC Davis standout Erinn Beattie in Austin, Texas for the NCAA Championships. Beattie had already qualified for the women's heptathlon, while Clancy will be in action on the track from June 5-8, 2019.
"It was a big relief to have the hep taken care of so I didn't have to worry as much about regionals," Beattie said. "This meet is really stressful. I'm also really happy that Kyle was able to qualify, especially since we've been working out together for four years, four hours a day."
"This is another trip to nationals for Erinn, to keep progressing forward in track," added Ackley. "Since this is her first time competing in the heptathlon, we are excited for her appearance and what could take place in a couple weeks."
On joining Beattie as one of the most decorated track & field athletes out of UC Davis, Clancy is also looking forward to the trip to Austin.
"I could think of no one else on the team I'd rather be at nationals with. We've battled through everything together, we're great friends on and off the track, and I'm so happy it's her."
NCAA WEST PRELIMS DAY THREE RESULTS
Winners plus UC Davis only
Men's High Jump
T- 1. Anderson, Vilches, Shankar, Sears, various schools, 2.16m (7-01.00)
T-10. Kyle Clancy, UC Davis, 2.11 (6-11.00)
16. Drake Foote, UC Davis, 2.11 (6-11.00)
Men's 110m Hurdles
1. Amere Lattin, Houston, 13.56
10. Kyle Clancy, UC Davis, 13.87
Men's Triple Jump
1. Odaine Lewis, Texas Tech, 16.38m (53-09.00)
32 Drew Xandrine-Anderson, UC Davis, 14.90m (48-10.75)
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.
AGGIE EVO
Established during the 2017-18 academic year, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
