T&F: Tidwell, Madlock Punch Tickets to Nationals

Thursday, May 27

College Station, Texas

All Day

Baylor

NCAA West Preliminary Championships

T&F: Tidwell, Madlock Punch Tickets to Nationals

5/27/2021 10:43:00 PM | Track & Field

Freshman Ackera Nugent ties school record in women’s 100 meters

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Alex Madlock and Tuesdi Tidwell earned spots at the NCAA Championships, and Ackera Nugent tied the school record in the women's 100 meters to highlight day two for Baylor track & field Thursday at the NCAA West Regional Preliminary Rounds.

Madlock came into the meet ranked 25th but flew into the No. 12 spot with a career-best jump of 20-11.75 (6.39m), making her the No. 4 long jump performer in school history. The senior from Bangs, Texas, will compete at outdoor nationals for the first time.

"That was huge for Alex," head coach Todd Harbour said. "She wasn't even in the top 24 coming in. Got a PB on her last jump. Coach (Stacey) Smith was sweating that one out a little bit, but she was so happy for her. Hopefully that will carry over to Saturday in the triple jump. It was a big day for her."

Tidwell wasn't far behind in punching her ticket to Eugene, completing a perfect 3-for-3 day in the pole vault with a bar of 14-0 (4.27m) to close. The senior from Early, Texas, joins fellow Brown County, Texas native (population 37,952) Madlock on the trip to Oregon.

"Tuesdi looked great," Harbour said. "Coming off having to miss the conference meet and the disappointment of that, bouncing back and jumping the way she did today – I was so proud of her."

Nugent was arguably the star of the day, clocking the fastest all-conditions time in World U20 history in the 100-meter hurdles before tying the school record in the 100 meters. The freshman from Kingston, Jamaica, advanced to the quarterfinals in both events as she had the top time of the day in the 100 hurdles at 12.63, and equaled Tiffany Townsend's Baylor record of 11.09 in the 100 that was set 10 years ago in Austin, Texas.

"Ackera's performances were just, wow," Harbour said. "Two big ones. Both were great times, great PBs, tied a school record and set the under-20 mark, what can you say?"

Sydney Washington joined Nugent in the quarterfinals of the 100 meters with a time of 11.35.

Aaliyah Miller cruised to the quarterfinals in the 800 meters with the top time of heat four, recording 2:06.41 to move on.

Kavia Francis advanced to the quarterfinals in both the 400 and 200 meters, registering times of 53.34 and 23.08, respectively.

Arria Minor and Mariah Ayers will join Francis is the 200 meters quarterfinal after recording times of 23.00 and 23.24, respectively.

The men's team is back in action on Friday, with quarterfinals action being televised on the SEC Network+. Live results can be found at NCAA Preliminary West Round.

For continued updates on the Baylor Track & Field team, follow the team's social media accounts all season long: @BaylorTrack.