5 of 6 Hoosiers advance to next round of NCAA Championship

Five of the six Hoosiers competing at the national championship Wednesday in Fayetteville, Ark., qualified for the next round of the NCAA Championship.

Despite rainy conditions that forced a long weather delay, junior Molly Beckwith in the 800 meter run, senior Tiffany Howard in shot put, sophomore Sara Pease in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, junior Ashley Rhoades in high jump and junior Vera Neuenswander in pole vault all advanced.

In a bit of a surprise the only Hoosier not to advance out of the qualifying round was freshman Derek Drouin in high jump. Drouin was previously the Big Ten and Regional Champion as well as second nationally during the indoor season.  He also set an all-time Hoosier record this year when he became the first IU athlete to clear 2.22 meters.

The Hoosiers return to competition Thursday when Beckwith and Howard compete in the next round of their respective events.  Also competing for the first time and only time today will be junior Wendi Robinson in the 10,000 meter run.