KINGSTON, Jamaica – Wayne Pinnock of the University of Arkansas and Courtney Lawrence of Clemson University both finished fifth in their respective events on the opening day of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division 1 track and field championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Pinnock, despite competing with a heavily strapped left thigh, managed a jump of 7.98m (0.9m/s) in the men’s long jump, securing fifth place. World Athletics Championships silver medallist, Nikaoli Williams of the University of Oklahoma, placed eighth with a wind-aided 7.76m (2.6m/s).

Lawrence achieved a personal best of 19.92m in the men’s shot put, improving from his 15th place last year. Brandon Lloyd of Arizona State threw 17.49m, failing to make the top nine.

Five Jamaicans advanced to Friday’s finals in their individual events after Wednesday’s preliminaries. Tarees Rhoden of Clemson posted the second-best time in the men’s 800m with 1:46.18, while Kimar Farquharson of Texas A&M University was third with 1:46.32. NCAA Indoor champion Rivaldo Marshall of the University of Iowa did not advance, clocking 1:48.36.

JeVaughn Powell, also part of the University of Florida’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams, qualified for the men’s 400m final with a time of 45.17 seconds, joining teammate Reheem Hayles, who ran 45.59. Shaemar Uter of Texas Tech and D’Andre Anderson of Clemson did not advance.

Jerome Campbell of Northern Colorado progressed in the 110m hurdles with 13.44 seconds (0.2m/s). Defending champion Phillip Lemonious of the University of Arkansas and Jordani Woodley of UTEP did not advance.

In the men’s 100m, Jehlani Gordon of the University of Georgia was 11th overall with 10.24 seconds, missing the final by two spots. Shevioe Reid of the University of South Florida finished 20th in the 200m with 20.36 seconds.

Javed Jones of the University of Louisiana and Devontie Archer of South Florida did not advance in the 400m hurdles, running 50.47 and 51.22 seconds, respectively.

The women’s competition starts on Thursday. Brianna Lyston of Louisiana State, the Indoor 60m champion, will compete in the preliminaries of the 100m and 200m.

Nickisha Pryce of Arkansas, Shaquena Foote of San Diego State, and Oneika McAnuff of Kentucky will contest the women’s 400m.

Ackelia Smith and Aaliyah Foster of Texas, along with Nia Robinson of Arkansas, will compete in the long jump, while Kelly-Ann Beckford will contest the women’s 800m.

-Paul A Reid