Pennsauken’s Bryce Tucker advanced to the finals in the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Championships after running close to his PR in Wednesday’s semifinals.
Tucker, a sophomore at Rutgers, placed 3rd in the first of three semifinals at Hayward Field in Eugene in 50.14. The top two finishers in each semi plus the next three-fastest advanced to the final on Friday.
Of the runners who didn’t get auto qualifier in the next two races, only one runner – another Bryce, Bryce McCray of Baylor, who ran 49.56 for 3rd in the second heat – ran faster than Tucker.
When 3rd place in the 3rd semi was slower than 50.14 – 50.24 to be exact – Tucker was through.
Tuckr PR’d with a 50.00 last month in the East Prelims in Jacksonville. So he’s run the two-fastest times of his life in his last two races.
The only South Jersey natives to ever run faster than Tucker are Winslow’s Reuben McCoy [48.37 in 2008], Paulsboro’s Fred Sharpe [48.86] and Camden’s Dwight Ruff [49.50].
The final is scheduled 6:27 p.m. on Friday.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 