FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Irish could not have asked for a much better start to the opening day of the 2021 NCAA Indoor National Championships on Thursday, picking up two First Team All-American honors on the women’s side with impressive performances from Rachel Tanczos and Jadin O’Brien.
The Irish sit atop the standings in first place after the first day of competition, recording 13 points on the day.
Tanczos earned national runner-up status in the weight throw and nearly took home the gold in the event. The senior posted a season-best mark of 23.24m (76-3) to match the best mark recorded in the NCAA this season heading into the final round. However, Louisville’s Makenli Forrest barely edged Tanzos on her final throw, recording a distance of 23.26m to win the event.
O’Brien turned in a historic performance in the pentathlon, breaking the program record for total score with a mark of 4,296 points to earn a fourth place finish and earn First Team All-America status as just a freshman.
O’Brien set a personal record in all five events of the day on her way to her impressive performance. The freshman started with a time of 8.51 in the 60m hurdles, which ranks eighth in program history for the event, to get the day going. O’Brien followed up by clearing 1.69m in the high jump and then placing third in the shot put by throwing a distance of 12.64m.
The freshman finished strong with two top-5 finishes, placing fifth in the long jump with the sixth best mark in program history with a distance of 5.89m and then crossing the line third in the 800m with a time of 2:13.13 to complete her stellar outing.
The Irish are back in action for day two of the championships on Friday, as Sam Voelz races in the 800m prelims (3:55 p.m. ET) with a chance to qualify for Saturday’s final. Then Olivia Markezich runs the 3,000m race (4 p.m. ET) on Saturday’s third and final day of the championships.
DAY ONE RESULTS
NCAA Championships
Fayetteville, Arkansas
March 11, 2021
WOMEN
Weight Throw:
2 – Rachel Tanczos, SB: 23.24m (First Team All-American)
Pentathlon:
4 – Jadin O’Brien, PB: 4296 points (Program Record, First Team All-American)
Pentathlon 60m Hurdles:
7 – Jadin O’Brien, PB: 8.51 (Ranks 8th in Program History)
Pentathlon High Jump:
11 – Jadin O’Brien, PB: 1.69m
Pentathlon Shot Put:
3 – Jadin O’Brien, PB: 12.64m
Pentathlon Long Jump:
5 – Jadin O’Brien, PB: 5.89m (Ranks 6th in Program History)
Pentathlon 800m:
3 – Jadin O’Brien, PB: 2:13.13