College Track & Field: Two locals advance

AUSTIN, Texas — UC Irvine sophomore Charles Jock earned a berth in the NCAA Championships and broke his own school record in the 800 meters in the NCAA Quarterfinals at the NCAA West Region at the University of Texas Friday.

Princeton junior Sarah Cummings, a Corona del Mar High product, became the first Tiger to qualify for the NCAA Championships, advancing in the women’s 10,000 at the NCAA East Regionals at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. An All-America in the event last season, Cummings finished 12th out of 48 with a time of 35 minutes, 25.97 seconds in the preliminary race to move on to the finals.

Jock, the 2010 Big West Conference Athlete of the Year in men’s track, won his heat in 1:46.67 to earn a berth in the NCAA Championships at Eugene, Ore., June 9 through 12. He eclipsed his own school mark of 1:46.93 that he set in winning the 800 at the Big West Championships May 15 at Cal State Northridge.

Jock’s time Friday was the second-fastest overall. Oregon senior Andrew Wheating, a 2008 Olympian, won his heat in 1:46.44 for the top time.

Jock competes in the 4x400 relay quarterfinals today in Austin along with Anteater teammates Jacob Yowell, Tim Murphy and George Hernandez.

Yowell did not advance from Friday’s 110 high hurdles first round with his time of 15.19.

UCI freshman Vanessa Houston also did not move on after running 24.46 in her 200 heat.

— From staff reports