FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – North Carolina A&T did what they had to do on Friday at the 2021 NCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Championships at the University of Arkansas' Randal Tyson Track Center.
Qualify.
All but two Aggies qualified for their respective final. One of those who failed to qualify was running his first race in six weeks after coming off an injury.
"I'm happy with our effort and performance," said Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs. "Today was about getting to the final round. Our team is excited about tomorrow."
The Aggies will participate in five events on Saturday.
Among the Aggie finalist is their lone female representative in junior Delecia McDuffie. McDuffie finished the 200-meter semifinals with a personal-best 22.94 to have the fifth-fastest qualifying time.
Both of the 400m runners the Aggies sent to nationals qualified for the final. Sophomore Randolph Ross, Jr. had the third-fastest qualifying time by crossing the line 45.53. His teammate and senior Trevor Stewart reached the final with a qualifying time of 45.86, the sixth-fastest time.
The 400m final is 3:20 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Senior Tavarius Wright returns on Saturday to compete in the 60m. Wright ran a qualifying time of 6.56, the third-fastest on Friday. His 6.56 is a personal-best.
Freshman Javonte Harding had a fabulous debut at nationals. He will be in the 200m final after running a 20.62 for the fifth-fastest qualifying time.
The 60m final is at 3:10 p.m., EST and the 200m final is at 3:50 p.m. EST. The Aggies 4x400-meter relay team will also compete on Saturday as Ross Jr., Stewart, senior Elijah Young and junior Daniel Stokes prepare to win a national title with a 4:20 p.m. EST start.
Despite not competing since Jan. 23 due to an injury sustained at practice, junior Rasheem Brown nearly made the finals of the 60-meter hurdles. Brown ran a personal-record 7.76, the ninth-fastest qualifying time of the day. He finished a few steps behind the University of South Carolina's FilipDemsar, who crossed in 7.74.
The Aggies lone field event qualifier, junior Brandon Hicklin, finished 12th in the long jump with a leap of 24-feet, 3 ¾-inches.
"We came up a little short in the long jump and the hurdles, but these young people are determined and will be back for outdoor (track and field). Rasheem just started hurdling again last week."
