June 4, 2022

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

The annual NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will take place from June 8 through 11 at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon. Qualifying to participate in the 100th outdoor championships is Lee’s Summit natives Maddie Harris and Johnny Brackins. Harris, a sophomore, will represent Nebraska University while Brackins, a freshman, will compete for Baylor University.

Nebraska’s Maddie Harris has already won the Big 10 Conference javelin title for the second year in a row. Harris claimed the honor at the Big Ten Conference meet May 13 held at the University of Minnesota. Harris scored a school record throw of 189 ‘11.” The mark ranks third in the NCAA this season.

Then it was time for the NCAA West preliminary round in Fayetteville, Arkansas May 25 through 28. Harris qualified to advance to nationals on only one throw. The LS West grad is a two-time Big 10 Champion and a Nebraska school record holder and now will compete at in the javelin at the national championships for the second year in a row.

Baylor’s Johnny Brackins finished second in his heat at the NCAA preliminary round in the 110 meter hurdles to qualify for the national meet. The 6’4” freshman advanced along with this teammate Eli Morris in the same event. The former Lee’s Summit Tiger will be joining four teammates and two teams who will be at the national championships representing the Baylor Bears. Baylor Track and Field coach Michael Ford said, “I am super proud of our men today.”

Area sports fans can follow the progress of both Harris and Brackins as they compete for a national championship on ESPNU, ESPN and finally ESPN2. Up first is the men’s semi-finals on Wednesday, Jun. 8 with television coverage beginning at 6 p.m.