FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas — Utah State track & field sophomore Logan Hammer qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships on the first day of the NCAA West Preliminaries at John McDonnell Field on Wednesday.  
 
By clearing 5.42 meters (17-9.25) on his third attempt, Hammer qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the men's pole vault. Hammer placed eighth in the preliminary and was tied for first through much of the event after he cleared 5.22 meters (17-1.5) and 5.32 meters (17-5.5) on his first attempts. 
 
"Very proud of how the guys competed," said Artie Gulden, USU's director of track & field and cross country. "Obviously, the highlight of the day was Logan qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the pole vault," Gulden said. "It was a very long competition.  He handled everything like a pro and got the job done. I'm very proud of him and jumps coach Erik Rasmussen." 
 
Freshman Landon Bott qualified for the quarterfinals in the men's 800 meters by placing 17th in the first round with a personal record time of 1:48.40. That time ranks fourth all-time in USU history. 
 
"Landon ran a great race to move on to Friday and give himself a chance to qualify for NCAAs," Gulden said. 
 
Junior Camren Todd finished 27th in the men's 10,000 meters with a time of 29:43.02. 
 
In the field, senior Gavin Beierle took 25th in the men's shot put with a mark of 17.78 meters (58-4) on his first throw. 
 
Both Beierle and Todd finished higher than they were seeded. 
 
The Aggies continue the NCAA West Preliminaries tomorrow with the Utah State slate featuring senior Djamilliah Paepke-Chile in the women's javelin, senior Abbey Bryant in the women's 100-meter hurdles, senior Mattie Geddes in the women's 800 meters, junior Maddie Edwards in the women's 400-meter hurdles and junior Emma Thornley in the women's 10,000 meters. 
 
Fans can follow the Utah State track & field programs at twitter.com/USUTF_XC, on Facebook at USUTrack and on Instagram at instagram.com/USUTF_XC. Aggies fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.  
 
NCAA West Preliminaries 
John McDonnell Field | Fayetteville, Arkansas | May 22, 2024 
 
USU Men's Results: 
Javelin - Walker Deede, DNS. 
Shot Put - 25. Gavin Beierle, 17.78 meters (58-4). 
800 Meters (first round) - 17. Landon Bott, 1:48.40 q. 
10,000 Meters - 27. Camren Todd, 29:43.02. 
Pole Vault - 8. Logan Hammer, 5.42 meters (17-9.25).
 
-USU-