Simpson, the reigning world champion in the event and a 2008 Olympian in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase, posted a time of 4:05.17. A mere 0.18 seconds separated Simpson and the top two finishers, as Morgan Uceny (adidas) turned in a time of 4:04.59 to edge Nike's Shannon Rowberry (4:05.11) for the top spot in the race.

Meanwhile, 2006 Air Force graduate and two-time NCAA champion Dana Pounds-Lyon concluded competition with a sixth-place finish in the finals of the women's javelin. Pounds-Lyon's effort of 180'11" was nearly 11 feet farther than her mark in Friday's qualifying round. Brittany Borman (Nike) won the event with a mark of 201'-9."

As with Pounds-Lyon, former UNLV student-athlete Christine Spence also saw her Olympic bid fall short when she placed seventh in the women's 400-meter hurdles, posting a time of 55.72. Lashinda Demus (Nike) finished first in the event with a time of 53.98.

UNLV 2012 grad Amanda Bingson and Rebels assistant coach Khadevis Robinson previously qualified in the women's hammer throw and men's 800 meters, respectively. The Olympic Games open in London on Friday, July 27.

Reaser, who totaled a first-day personal-best 3,437 points after four events on Friday, wrapped up the two-day event with 5,612 points. Hyleas Fountain (Nike) posted the top score in the event with 6,419 points to advance to the London Olympics. Sharon Day (Asics) and Chantae McMillan (unattached) will join Fountain in London after finishing second and third, respectively.

Sitting in 12th place following the opening day of competition, Reaser, who finished sixth in the NCAA Championships in June, placed 18th in the long jump (18'-0.25") on Saturday before finishing 11th in the javelin (120'-10.00") and 11th in the 800 meters, where she established a personal best with a time of 2:16.54.

"Overall, she did a praiseworthy job of representing SDSU athletics," said head coach Sheila Burrell. "The future is bright."

The Olympic Trials conclude today, with two-time NCAA champion and former Air Force student-athlete Dana Pounds-Lyon competing in the finals of the women's javelin and Falcons volunteer coach Jenny Simpson taking part in the finals of the women's 1,500-meter run.

Also vying for a spot in London is former UNLV student-athlete Christine Spence, who will compete in the finals of the women's 400-meter hurdles. Should Spence finish among the top three today, she would to join 2012 UNLV grad Amanda Bingson and Rebels assistant coach Khadevis Robinson, who qualified earlier in the women's hammer throw and men's 800 meters, respectively.

On a day when Falcons volunteer coach Jenny Simpson advanced to the finals of the women's 1,500-meter run, Pounds-Lyon posted an overall finish of 10th in the field of 24 with an effort of 170'-0.00" The mark allowed Pounds-Lyon, the 2007 USATF champion, to finish among the top 12 competitors and secure a spot in Sunday's finals. Kara Patterson (Asics) currently leads the competition with a distance of 198'-5.00."

Simpson was the runner-up in the semifinals in the 1,500-meter run, posting a time of 4:09.12 and finishing second in her heat to earn a spot in the finals. Morgan Uceny (adidas) had the top mark in the semifinals, clocking a time of 4:08.90.

Also advancing on Friday was former UNLV athlete Christine Spence, who ran the sixth-fastest time (55.72) in the semifinals of the women's 400-meter hurdles to grab a spot in Sunday's finals. Should Spence finish among the top three on Sunday, she would to join 2012 UNLV grad Amanda Bingson and Rebels assistant coach Khadevis Robinson in London. Bingson qualified earlier in the women's hammer throw, as did Robinson in the men's 800 meters.

TCU's Whitney Gipson, the MW Female Student-Athlete of the Year, advanced to Sunday's final in the women's long jump with an effort of 22'-5.00" Gipson, the reigning NCAA outdoor champion in the event, posted the fourth-best mark during Friday's competition.

Horned Frogs junior Charles Silmon will compete in today's semifinals of the men's 200 meters after placing fourth in his heat and 18th overall on Friday in a time of 20.68.

San Diego State sophomore Allison Reaser totaled a first-day personal-best 3,437 points and sits in 12th place among 20 entrants after Day 1 of heptathlon. Reaser's point total is her highest ever after the first day of competition, bettering the mark of 3,386 she earned en route to a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships earlier this month. Hyleas Fountain (Nike) leads the competition with 3,948 points.

Reaser opened the day by establishing a personal-best in the 100-meter hurdles (13.55) before finishing 18th in the high jump (5'-4.25"). Reaser finished 12th in the shot put with an effort of 39'-5.00" and concluded the day by finishing fifth in the 200 meters in a time 24.12.

The final day of the heptathlon takes place today with competition in the long jump, javelin and 800 meters. Reaser needs to finish in the top three and reach the Olympic "A" standard of 6,150 points to advance to the London Olympics.

Meanwhile, Paige Blackburn, a 2012 Air Force graduate and Mountain West champion in the women's javelin throw, turned in an effort of 151'-9.00" on Friday to place 22nd in the event.

Rome, a six-time All-American at Boise State, turned in an effort of 207'-10" in finishing behind Nike teammate Lance Brooks (213'-9"). Jason Young, who also competes for Nike, was third with a mark of 203'-11."

A 2000 graduate of Boise State, Rome will be making his second appearance in the Olympics after having previously competed in the discus at the 2004 Games in Athens.

Rome becomes the second Boise State athlete to qualify for the London Olympics. Broncos senior Kurt Felix, the MW Male Student-Athlete of the Year, will compete in the decathlon for his native country of Grenada.

Meanwhile, former UNLV athlete Christine Spence posted the seventh-fastest time (56.28) in the prelims of the women's 400-meter hurdles Thursday night. Spence, who advanced to today's semifinals, finished second overall in her heat. The top mark belonged to Lashinda Demus (Nike), who was clocked in 55.29

New Mexico's Floyd Ross, the runner-up in the men's triple jump at the NCAA Championships earlier this month, finished 16th during Thursday's prelims with an effort of 52'-2." Christian Taylor (Li-Ning) turned in the best mark of the day at 56'-8."

Competition at the trials continues today with TCU's Whitney Gipson, the MW Female Student-Athlete of the Year, taking part in the women's long jump. Also today, Air Force's Paige Blackburn and Falcons' 2006 graduate Dana Pounds-Lyon will compete in the women's javelin, while San Diego State's Allison Reaser begins the first of two days of competition in the heptathlon. Reaser took sixth in the event at the NCAA Championships with a school-record 5,753 points. She would need to finish in the top three and reach the Olympic "A" standard of 6,150 points to advance to London.

The top three finishers in each event qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team. The trials run through July 1.

Robinson, an assistant coach with UNLV's track and field team, nailed down a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Monday night with a second-place finish in the men's 800-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.

A former TCU standout who also competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Robinson (Nike) posted a time of 1:44.64 to become the second Rebel in four days to earn a trip to London after 2012 graduate Amanda Bingson finished second in the women's hammer throw last Thursday.

"We are so proud of Coach KD and his accomplishments," said UNLV track and field coach Yvonne Wade. "He has trained very hard for this while coaching our Rebels, and it just proves that if you set your mind to something it can be done. Two of our Rebel family members are representing us in London. We all should be very proud."

Robinson will be joined in London by Nick Symmonds (Nike/Oregon TC Elite), who won the event in a time of 1:43.92, and Duane Solomon (Saucony), who recorded a third-place time of 1:44.65.

Meanwhile, three athletes with ties to the Air Force track and field team concluded competition in the trials on Monday.

Former Falcons All-American and 2011 graduate Justin Tyner placed 22nd in the qualifying round of the 3,000-meter Steeplechase, posting a time of 8:53.92. Daniel Huling (Reebok), who competed in Tyner's heat, ran 8:29.00 to record the fastest time in the qualifying round.

In the qualifying round of the men's pole vault, Air Force senior Cale Simmons and 2010 graduate Nick Frawley both came up short at the opening height of 17'-4.50". In rainy conditions, Mark Hollis (Nike) led the group of 11 qualifiers, clearing 17'-8.50" on his first attempt.

Competition at the trials resumes Thursday with TCU's Whitney Gipson, the MW Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year, taking part in the women's long jump, and Air Force volunteer coach Jenny Simpson competing in the women's 1,500 meters. Gipson is the reigning NCAA champion in the long jump, while Simpson, the reigning world champion in the 1,500 meters, also competed in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Also on Thursday, New Mexico's Floyd Ross will compete in the men's triple jump after finishing second in the event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships earlier this month, and former UNLV athlete Christine Spence will take part in the women's 400-meter hurdles.

On Friday, Air Force's Paige Blackburn and Falcons' 2006 graduate Dana Pounds-Lyon will take part in the women's javelin, while San Diego State's Allison Reaser will begin the first of two days of competition in the heptathlon. Reaser took sixth in the event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a MW-record 5,753 points. She would need to finish in the top three and reach the Olympic "A" standard of 6,150 points to advance to London.

Silmon, competing in the semifinals of the event at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., finished fifth in his heat and 12th overall with a time of 10.26 seconds.

Meanwhile, former TCU standout and current UNLV assistant coach Khadevis Robinson will make a bid for his second Olympic appearance when he competes today in the finals of the men's 800 meters. Robinson, who also represented the U.S. in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, posted the fastest time of the day (1:45.83) in the semifinals of the event on Saturday.

Other athletes with MW ties competing today include Air Force's Cale Simmons and Nick Frawley, a 2010 graduate of the Academy, in the prelims of the men's pole vault; and former Air Force All-American and 2011 graduate Justin Tyner in the prelims of the men's 3,000-meter Steeplechase.

Following today's action, competition at the trials will resume on Thursday with TCU's Whitney Gipson, the MW Indoor and Outdoor Athlete of the Year, taking part in the women's long jump, and Air Force volunteer coach Jenny Simpson competing in the women's 1,500 meters. Gipson is the reigning NCAA outdoor champion in the long jump, while Simpson, the reigning world champion in the 1,500 meters, also competed in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Also on Thursday, New Mexico's Floyd Ross will compete in the men's triple jump after finishing second in the event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships earlier this month.

On Friday, Air Force's Paige Blackburn and Falcons' 2006 graduate Dana Pounds-Lyon will take part in the women's javelin, while San Diego State's Allison Reaser will begin the first of two days of competition in the heptathlon. Reaser took sixth in the event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a MW-record 5,753 points. Reaser would need to finish in the top three and reach the Olympic "A" standard of 6,150 points to advance to London.

Silmon, a first-team All-American who set the MW record (10.04) during competition at last month's NCAA West Region Prelims in Austin, Texas, posted a time of 10.17 on Saturday. The top performance of the day was turned in by Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist who finished in a time of 9.90.

Meanwhile, former TCU standout and current UNLV assistant coach Khadevis Robinson posted the fastest time of the day in the semifinals of the men's 800 meters with a mark of 1:45.83. Robinson was the only runner to post a sub-1:46.0 in the event's two heats.

Robinson will make his second Olympic appearance with a top-three finish in Monday's final. He also represented the U.S. in the 2004 Games in Athens.

In women's action, former UNLV sprinter Lekeisha Lawson came up short in her attempt to qualify in the women's 100 meters, finishing 18th in a time of 11.54.

One day after former UNLV standout Amanda Bingson earned a spot in the 2012 London Olympics with a second-place finish in the women's hammer throw, Robinson finished first in his heat of the 800 meters, posting a time of 1:47.30. He will be seeded eighth overall in Saturday's semifinals. Lawson currently has the 13th-best time in the women's 100 meters after finishing second in her heat in a time of 11.34.

Meanwhile, San Diego State senior Whitney Ashley, the 2012 NCAA champion in the women's discus, finished 22nd in the field of 24 on Friday with an effort of 153'-3.00" (46.73 meters). Ashley needed to finish in the top 12 to advance to Sunday's final.

Former SDSU standout Melinda Smedley also came up short, finishing sixth in her preliminary heat of the 100-meter dash and 25th overall with a time of 11.55. Smedley needed to finish among the top three in her heat or be one of the next six-fastest runners to move onto Saturday's semifinal.

New Mexico long jumper Kendall Spencer, the reigning NCAA indoor champion, saw his Olympic bid come to a close when he finished 17th in the event with a mark of 24-9.25.

The top three finishers in each event qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team. The trials run through July 1.

Bingson, the Mountain West record holder in the event who broke the UNLV record eight times, finished with a mark of 235'-6.00" The day's top mark belonged to Amber Campbell, who also competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Campbell's throw was also measured at 235'-6.00," but at 71.80 meters, it was just enough to top Bingson's effort of 71.78 meters.

The third and final spot went to Jessica Crosby (232'-2.00"), who also competed in Beijing in 2008.

But if the performances turned in by the two former Olympians --- Campbell and Crosby --- were hardly surprising, such was not the case where Bingson was concerned. After finishing third at the recently concluded NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Bingson, a two-time first-team All-American, had yet to earn the "A" standard required to make the Olympic team.

That changed Thursday when Bingson unleashed a throw that was more than two feet farther than her record-breaking effort of 233'-1.00" (71.04 meters) at last month's NCAA West Regional Men's and Women's Championship Prelims in Austin, Texas.

"Coming up here (Oregon) all I wanted to do was get to the finals and do well," said Bingson. "I didn't know I was going to do this well though. As soon as I threw that 71.22 I knew that the "A" standard was in me. I just relaxed, went for it and got it. I was in such disbelief at first, but this has been my best series all year. I'm ready to represent the USA at the Olympics and just live this up to the fullest!"

The hammer competition was Thursday's lone event at the trials, which run through July 1.

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Sophomore triple jumper Shanieka Thomas capped things off in high style for the Aztecs, breaking the school record three times on six attempts en route to a second-place finish in the event. Thomas, whose previous personal best was 44'-8.0," turned in an effort of 45'-9.75" on her final attempt, erasing the previous record of 44'-9.0" set by Karoline Koehler in 2009. Thomas' effort also eclipsed the Mountain West outdoor record of 44'-8.25" set by BYU's Kamila Rywelska in 2005.

With her second-place finish, Thomas became the third SDSU athlete to garner first-team All-American honors at this year's national meet, joining senior Whitney Ashley and sophomore Allison Reaser. Ashley won a national title in the discus on Wednesday, while Reaser finished sixth on Friday in the heptathlon.

Junior Alex Evans finished 14th (42'-6.25") in the triple jump competition for the Aztecs, who tied for ninth with Tennessee (21.00 points) in the team standings. It was SDSU's best finish at the national meet since 1985.

Southern Mississippi senior Ganna Demydova won the triple jump title with an effort of 46'-7.25."

In other news from the final day of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships:

 Air Force senior Jim Walmsley finished 12th in the finals of the men's 3,000-meter Steeplechase, posting a time of 8:57.99 to earn second-team All-American honors. Walmsley qualified for the finals after finishing in a career-best time of 8:41.05 in Thursday's prelims. Walmsley's mark on Thursday was the third-fastest in Air Force history. Princeton senior Donn Cabral won the event, posting a time of 8:35.44.

 Boise State freshman and MW Champion Emma Bates earned second-team All-American honors in the women's 5,000-meter run, finishing 12th in a time of 16:43.84. In addition to being the first member of the school's women's team to garner All-American status in the event, Bates turned in the top time among all freshmen competing in Saturday's race. It was just her third time competing in a 5,000-meter race this season. Dartmouth sophomore Abbey D'Agostino won the event in a time of 16:11.34.

 The MW crowned three national champions during this year's meet, including San Diego State's Whitney Ashley, Boise State's Kurt Felix (men's decathlon) and TCU's Whitney Gipson (women's long jump).

 Ten MW athletes earned first-team All-American honors at this year's meet, including SDSU's Whitney Ashley (women's discus); UNLV's Amanda Bingson (women's hammer throw); Boise State's Kurt Felix (men's decathlon); TCU's Whitney Gipson (women's long jump); SDSU's Allison Reaser (heptathlon); New Mexico's Floyd Ross (men's triple jump); TCU's Charles Silmon (men's 100 meters); Air Force's Cale Simmons (men's pole vault); SDSU's Shanieka Thomas (women's triple jump); and New Mexico's Sarah Waldron (women's 10,000 meters).

 Florida won the men's team title with 50.00 points, while LSU took home honors on the women's side with 76.00 points. Air Force junior Cale Simmons garnered first-team All-American honors by finishing in a tie for fifth in the men's pole vault. Simmons, who set a MW record at last month's league championships with a vault of 18'-1.75," posted an effort of 17'-8.50" on Friday, finishing in a tie with Liberty's Kolby Shepherd. Oral Roberts junior Jack Whitt won the national title with a mark of 18'-6.50." Simmons also earned All-American honors in March when he finished fifth at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

 TCU junior Charles Silmon, the MW record holder in the men's 100-meter dash, earned first-team All-American honors with a seventh-place finish in the finals of the event on Friday. Silmon, who posted a time of 10.05 during Wednesday's prelims, clocked in at 10.39 in the finals. He set the MW record at last month's NCAA West Region Championship Prelims with a mark of 10.04. Illinois senior Andrew Riley won Friday's final in a time of 10.28.

 Colorado State senior Nicole Peters, who established a personal-best time of 10:12.61 during Wednesday's prelims in the women's 3,000-meter Steeplechase, finished 12th in Friday's finals in a time of 10:46.10. Colorado junior Shalaya Kipp posted a winning time of 9:49.02. Peters was the 2012 MW champion in the event.

Ross, who posted a personal-best triple jump mark of 52'-7.25" at last month's West Region Prelims, took his performance to another level on Friday, earning first-team All-American honors by finishing second in the event at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

The first Lobo triple jumper to qualify for the national meet since Dewayne Rudd in 1984, Ross saved his best for last, unleashing an effort of 54'-6.00" on his final attempt to finish second behind Omar Craddock of Florida (55'-6.25"). Ross' mark ranks second all-time in MW history.

Ross, who placed second to TCU's Cameron Parker with an effort of 51'-7.75" at this year's Mountain West Championships, surpassed that mark on three of his six attempts Friday.

Parker, meanwhile, the MW triple jump champion each of the past two years, finished 19th in Friday's competition, with his best effort of the day coming on his second attempt (50'-5.50").

In others news from Day 3 of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships:

 Air Force junior Cale Simmons garnered first-team All-American honors by finishing in a tie for fifth in the men's pole vault. Simmons, who set a MW record at last month's league championships with a vault of 18'-1.75," posted an effort of 17'-8.50" on Friday, finishing in a tie with Liberty's Kolby Shepherd. Oral Roberts junior Jack Whitt won the national title with a mark of 18'-6.50." Simmons also earned All-American honors in March when he finished fifth at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

 TCU junior Charles Silmon, the MW record holder in the men's 100-meter dash, earned first-team All-American honors with a seventh-place finish in the finals of the event on Friday. Silmon, who posted a time of 10.05 during Wednesday's prelims, clocked in at 10.39 in the finals. He set the MW record at last month's NCAA West Region Championship Prelims with a mark of 10.04. Illinois senior Andrew Riley won Friday's final in a time of 10.28.

 Colorado State senior Nicole Peters, who established a personal-best time of 10:12.61 during Wednesday's prelims in the women's 3,000-meter Steeplechase, finished 12th in Friday's finals in a time of 10:46.10. Colorado junior Shalaya Kipp posted a winning time of 9:49.02. Peters was the 2012 MW champion in the event.

 San Diego State senior Whitney Ashley, who won a national title Wednesday in the women's discus, finished 13th on Friday in the shot put competition. Ashley posted a mark of 53'-9.25" after her throw of 55'-5.00" at last month's NCAA West Region prelims broke the Mountain West record. Oklahoma junior Tia Brooks won the national title with a mark of 60'-6.00."

Specifically, his background in one of the decathlon's 10 events --- the javelin.

"In the islands, we throw a lot of rocks," Felix said. "It just sort of came natural."

And in the end, it just sort of made him a national champion.

Felix, who led after the first five events on Wednesday, held on to win the men's decathlon title on Thursday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Having dropped into third place on Thursday with two events remaining --- the javelin and 1,500-meter run --- Felix won the javelin competition, vaulting back into first place with an effort of 227'-6.00." Only two other decathletes --- Romain Martin of Texas-Arlington (210'-6.00") and Oregon's Dakotah Keys (201'-4.00") surpassed 200 feet.

Felix, who finished with a MW record 8,062 points to fend off the second-place Martin by 106 points, placed 13th in the decathlon at the 2010 national meet. He entered the meet ranked fourth in the country (7,972 points), 95 points behind leader Isaac Murphy of Texas. In the two-day competition at Drake Stadium, Felix bested the seventh-place Murphy by 244 points.

Said Felix: "It was my last NCAA competition, so it feels really good."

Meanwhile, TCU senior Whitney Gipson turned in the second-best mark in MW history to win the national title in the women's long jump.

Gipson, who was recently tabbed the U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Association's South Central Region Athlete of the Year, posted the winning mark of 22'-4.25" on her second attempt of the day. Southern Mississippi senior Tori Bowie was second at 21'-10.25."

A five-time All-American and the reigning NCAA indoor champion, Gipson won the long jump at this year's MW Championship for a second straight time, becoming only the fourth student-athlete in league history to win back-to-back championships.

In other news from Day 2 of the NCAA Track and Field Championships:

 San Diego State sophomore Allison Reaser sits in ninth place in the women's heptathlon after totaling a first-day personal-best 3,386 points. Reaser's point total is her highest ever after the first day, bettering the 3,355 points she earned en route to winning the event at last month's MW Championships. With three events remaining on Friday, three athletes are less than a 100 points ahead of Reaser, who opened the day by posting the second-fastest time of her career in the 100-meter hurdles (13.77). Reaser set a personal record with an effort of 5'-4.25" in the high jump and turned in her second-best effort of the outdoor season with a mark of 38'-5.00" in the shot put. She also posted her second-fasted time of the season in the 200-meter dash (24.20).

 Air Force senior Jim Walmsley advanced to Saturday's finals of the men's 3,000-meter Steeplechase by posting a career-best time of 8:41.05 in Thursday's prelims. Walmsley shaved 10 seconds off of his previous best time to place seventh overall in the field of 24. His mark was the third-fastest in Air Force history.

 UNLV senior Amanda Bingson, the MW all-time leader in the women's hammer throw, finished third to earn All-American honors in the finals of the event on Thursday. Bingson, who fouled on her first two throws, advanced with an effort of 219'-8.00" on her third attempt in the opening round. It was the best effort of the day for Bingson, who finished fourth at the national meet a year ago.

 New Mexico senior Sarah Waldron, the MW and school record holder in the women's 10,000 meters, earned All-American honors by finishing sixth in the finals of the event on Thursday. Waldron posted a time of 32:58.84.

Ashley, who finished fourth in the event at last month's NCAA West Region Prelims, posted a personal-best mark of 184'-5.00" on her first throw of the day before surpassing the MW record of 187'-3.50" established by Colorado State's Loree Smith in 2004. Ashley, whose previous personal-best of 181'-3.00" was set at the Mt. SAC Relays in April, is the fourth SDSU student-athlete to win an individual Division I track and field national championship and the first since 1985. She finished seventh at the national meet last year with an effort of 179'-7.00."

Ashley competes again on Friday in the shot put after finishing fifth in the event at the NCAA West Region Prelims. Her effort of 55'-5.00" at the West Region prelims broke a Mountain West record and ranks second-best all-time at SDSU. She also competed in the shot put at last year's national championships but fouled on all three of her attempts.

In other news from the opening day of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships:

 Boise State senior Kurt Felix, who will represent his native Grenada in the 2012 Summer Games in London, holds first place after the opening day of competition in the men's decathlon.

Felix, who compiled 4,187 points after five events on Wednesday, will begin the second day of competition on Thursday with a 10-point lead over Arkansas freshman Gunnar Nixon.

Felix began the day in style, posting a personal best time of 10.90 to finish second in the 100-meter dash. The BSU record holder in the decathlon then went on to win the long jump competition with an effort of 24'-3.50" before finishing 12th in the shot put (42'-11.00").

While his effort in the shot put dropped him into second place overall, Felix regained the lead after placing second in the high jump (6'-8.75"). In the day's final event, Felix posted a time of 48.77 in the 400-meter dash, the second-fastest time of his career.

Thursday's final round of the decathlon kicks off with the 110-meter hurdles at 11:30 a.m. CT, followed by competition in the discus, pole vault, javelin and the 1500 meters.

 TCU junior Charles Silmon, who set a Mountain West record in the 100-meter dash with a wind-aided time of 10.04 seconds at last month's NCAA West Region Championship Prelims, qualified for Friday's finals in the event after posting a time of 10.05.

Silmon, the league's three-time defending champion in the 100 meters, finished with the fifth-fastest time of the day. Auburn junior Harry Adams posted the top qualifying time at 9.96. Florida State's Ngonidzashe Makusha set the national collegiate record in the 100 meters at last year's meet with a time of 9.89.

 Colorado State senior Nicole Peters earned a spot in Friday's finals in the women's 3,000-meter Steeplechase after finishing 13th in a time of 10:12.61. Peters, the 2012 MW champion in the event, qualified after placing seventh (10:16.15) at the NCAA West Regional Prelims.

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With two Mountain West outdoor track and field records having already fallen by the wayside during the first two days of competition at the NCAA West Regional Men's and Women's Championship Prelims in Austin, Texas, UNLV senior Amanda Bingson set an NCAA meet record in the women's hammer throw on Saturday with an effort of 223'-1.00." Her throw is also a new Mountain West all-time record.

Bingson, who entered the meet with the top mark in the NCAA this season (228'-10.00"), erased her career best mark of 229'-0.00" on her third throw of the competition. She outdistanced second-place finisher Jeneva McCall of Southern Illinois (226'-10") by more than six feet.

Just the second women's student-athlete to earn three MW hammer titles in her career (Colorado State's Loree Smith won three from 2002-05), Bingson, a 2011 NCAA All-American, advanced to the NCAA Championships for the third straight year. She has now broken the UNLV hammer throw record eight times.

The NCAA Championships are set for June 6-9 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Bingson finished fourth at the meet last year.

The top 12 finishers from each event at the NCAA West Region Prelims advanced to the NCAA Championships.

In other news from the final day of competition:

 San Diego State sophomore Shanieka Thomas came within ¼-inch of tying the MW record in the triple jump, finishing second in Saturday's competition with a career-best effort of 44'-8.00." Thomas, who posted the second-best mark in program history, will be joined at the NCAA Championships by teammate Alex Evans, a junior who finished 11th in the event with a career-best effort of 41'-8.50." Thomas and Evans will be making their first appearance in the NCAA Championships.

 Air Force junior pole vaulter Cale Simmons, who set an Academy and MW Championship meet record earlier this month with an effort of 18'-1-.75," advanced to his first NCAA Championships after finishing tied for seventh (17'-6.50") on Saturday.

 The TCU men's 4x100 meter relay team of junior Skye Dawson, junior Charles Silmon, senior OJ Stoneham and freshman Ramone Bailey will head to the NCAA Championships after finishing eighth in a time of 39.59 (fifth-best in MW history). Silmon qualified for the NCAA Championships on Friday after setting a MW record in the 100-meter dash (10.04). Texas A&M had the top qualifying time in the event at 39.11.

 The TCU women's 4x100 meter relay team of sophomore Veronica Jones, junior Chaniqua Corinealdi, senior Whitney Gipson and freshman Lorraine Ugen qualified for the NCAA Championships with an 11th-place finish of 44.92. Ugen had already qualified in the long jump and 100-meter dash. Corinealdi, meanwhile, who had previously qualified in the 100-meter dash, also qualified Saturday in the 200-meter dash, placing 11th (23.50). Gipson qualified in the long jump on Thursday. Texas A&M had the top time in the women's 4x100 meter relay (43.34).

 Boise State freshman Emma Bates broke the school record in the women's 5,000-meter run to qualify for the NCAA Championships. Bates posted a time 16:16.74 to better the BSU record by more than four seconds. She finished 11th overall.

 Colorado State sophomore Trevor Brown, who finished 22nd at the meet a year ago, placed 11th in the men's 110-meter hurdles (13.77) on Saturday to advance to his first NCAA Championships.

 New Mexico sophomore Django Lovett's effort of 7'-1.50" in the men's high jump enabled him to tie for 11th and gain a spot in the NCAA Championships.

 The TCU women's 4X400 relay team of sophomore Briyanni Thomas, junior Quinterra Charles, freshman Ashley Collins and freshman Nefertari Hall advanced to the NCAA Championships by grabbing the 12th and final qualifying spot in the event with a time of 3:37.12. Oregon (3:29.43) was first in the competition.

Silmon, the league's three-time defending champion in the event, posted a time of 10.04, breaking the previous MW record of 10.13 set by BYU's Kenneth Andam in 2000. Silmon's time was the second-fastest performance of the day, exceeded only by the 10.03 turned in by Illinois' Andrew Riley in the same heat.

Silmon's performance gave him a spot in the NCAA Championships for the third straight year. The championships will be held June 6-9 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

The top 12 in each event of the NCAA West Region prelims advance to the NCAA Championships.

In other news from Day 2:

 San Diego State senior Whitney Ashley, who on Thursday set a Mountain West women's outdoor record in the shot put, qualified for a second event in this year's NCAA Championships when she finished fourth in the discus Friday.

Ashley, the MW outdoor champion in both the shot put and discus each of the past two years, finished with a distance of 181'-03" to advance to the NCAA Championships. Ashley's effort ranks as the second-best of her career and the fifth-best in school history. She threw a career-best 183'-01" at the Mt. SAC Relays in April.

Ashley, who came into the weekend ranked fifth in the discus in the West Region, finished seventh in the discus last year at the NCAA Championships en route to earning first-team USTFCCCA All-America honors.

 TCU also produced a pair of NCAA Championship qualifiers in the women's 100-meter dash. Freshman Lorraine Ugen, who on Thursday qualified for the NCAA Championships in the long jump, finished eighth in Friday's 100 meters, posting a time of 11.34. Horned Frogs junior Chaniqua Corinealdi grabbed the 12th and final qualifying spot in the event with a time of 11.41. Corinealdi also advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals in the 200 meters, finishing third in her heat with a time of 23.70.

 Boise State junior Rolando Trammel advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals by nailing down the final qualifying spot in the men's 110-meter hurdles. Trammel posted a time of 14.15.

 San Diego State junior Kelsy Hintz qualified for the NCAA Championships in the pole vault with a ninth-place effort of 13'-08.25." The vault was the second-best of Hintz's career and the fifth-best in SDSU history.

 New Mexico junior Floyd Ross advanced to the NCAA Championships in the triple jump, finishing third overall in posting an effort of 52'-07.25." TCU junior Cameron Parker also qualified in the event, finishing 10th at 51'-04.50."

 UNLV senior Brett Zorich is headed to the NCAA Championships after finishing 10th overall in the women's 800 meters (2:05.39).

 Air Force senior Jim Walmsley posted a career-best time of 8:51.65 to advance to the NCAA Championships in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase. Walmsley's performance ranks as fourth-best in Air Force history.

 Colorado State senior Nicole Peters and New Mexico senior Ruth Senior both qualified for the NCAA Championships in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase. Peters finished seventh overall in a time of 10:16.15, while Senior's effort of 10:21.58 was 11th in the field of 48.

Ashley, the MW outdoor champion in both the shot put and discus each of the past two years, notched a career-best distance of 55'-5.00" on her final effort of the day to advance to the NCAA Championships June 6-9 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Ashley's effort ranks as the second-best in program history behind four-time Olympian Ramona Pagel.

The previous MW outdoor record of 54'-9.50" was set by Colorado State's Loree Smith in 2005. Ashley, who had the fifth-best mark in Thursday's preliminary round, will also take part in the discus competition on Friday.

The top 12 in each event advance to the NCAA Championships.

In other news from the opening day of the NCAA West Region prelims:

 Boise State junior Rolando Trammel, who will also participate in the 110-meter hurdles on Friday, advanced to the quarterfinals of the men's 400-meter hurdles with a time of 51.82.

 UNLV senior Christine Lowe and San Diego State sophomore Allison Reaser advanced to Friday's quarterfinals in the women's 400-meter hurdles after posting times of 59.57 and 59.93, respectively. Reaser is already headed to the NCAA Championships after qualifying in the heptathlon.

 Air Force senior Alex Zubey (3:48.28) and New Mexico sophomore Sam Evans (3:54.92), a 2012 All-Mountain West selection, advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals in the men's 1500-meter run.

 TCU junior Charles Silmon posted the fastest time of his heat and the sixth-best time overall (10.31) to advance to Friday's quarterfinals of the men's 100-meter dash. New Mexico freshman Beejay Lee, who was second to Silmon in the heat, also advanced with a time of 10.38.

 TCU freshman Lorraine Ugen (11.40) and Horned Frogs junior Chanique Corinealdi (11.51) advanced to Friday's quarterfinals in the women's 100-meter dash. Ugen and Corinealdi, who both finished second in their respective heats, posted the ninth- and 10th-best times overall. UNLV junior Emily Blok also qualified in the event, finishing second in her heat with a time of 11:53.

 UNLV senior Brett Zorich (2:07.64) and Rebels junior Kelsey Williamson (2:09.31) advanced to Friday's quarterfinals in the women's 800-meter run. Williamson finished first in her heat, while Zorich was third.

 TCU senior Whitney Gipson (21'-6.00") and Horned Frogs freshman Lorraine Ugen (21'-1.50") both advanced to the NCAA Championships in the women's long jump. Gipson finished tied for second overall. Ugen was eighth.

 New Mexico senior Sarah Waldron earned a spot in the NCAA Championships with a time of 33:54.56 in the women's 10,000-meter run. Waldron posted the event's fourth-best time overall.

FOOTBALL HEADLINES

• Nevada QB Cody Fajardo gets invite to Manning Passing Academy.

• Wyoming safety Luke Ruff named to 2012 Lott Award watch list.

TRACK & FIELD

• For TCU sprinter Charles Silmon, the gains have far outweighed the pains.

• Cowboys sign one of Colorado's top sprinters.

• Practice helps makes perfect for three members of Wyoming women's track team.

MEN'S GOLF HEADLINES

• Rams will head to Kentucky bidding for second straight trip to men's NCAA men's championships.

BASEBALL HEADLINES

• SDSU's Gwynn looks to get back to the ballpark.

SOFTBALL HEADLINES

• Former Olympic standout Lisa Fernandez has eye on Fresno State softball opening.

Have you seen a news article on the Mountain West, its teams and its players to share with fellow fans? E-mail them to Webmaster@TheMWC.com!

FOOTBALL HEADLINES

• CSU running back Chris Nwoke has no time to rest upon laurels of 2011 season.

• Broncos' D.J. Harper is ready to roll after surviving offseason waiting game.

• The 2011 season was anything but a snap for Wyoming center Nick Carlson.

• Friendly game of family feud playing out during course of Cowboys' spring drills.

• JC transfer shows promise of providing Rebels with solid play at defensive end.

• The need for speed: Bulldogs will place priority on offseason conditioning.

• Nevada set to kick off spring drills with key piece of puzzle back in place.

BASEBALL HEADLINES

• With Gwynn back in dugout, San Diego State comes out swinging.

MEN'S GOLF HEADLINES

• Recent run by Aztecs' J.J. Spaun spawns national attention.

OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD HEADLINES

• Wyoming hoping sunny skies are forecast of things to come in outdoor season.

Have you seen a news article on the Mountain West, its teams and its players to share with fellow fans? E-mail them to Webmaster@TheMWC.com!

MEN'S BASKETBALL HEADLINES

• It's a family affair where Rebels' coaching staff is concerned.

• Aztecs Shelton, Green will be leading the cheers on Senior Night.

FOOTBALL HEADLINES

• After four years of Ryan Lindley, San Diego State has 5 QBs auditioning for job.

• Former Broncos get set to be put through their paces in Indianapolis.

• New Air Force defensive coordinator ready to turn up heat on opposing offenses.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HEADLINES

• Boise State seniors provide a lift to women's program.

TRACK & FIELD HEADLINES

• CSU standout Trevor Brown keeps his focus on the next hurdle.

Have you seen a news article on the Mountain West, its teams and its players to share with fellow fans? E-mail them to Webmaster@TheMWC.com!

 Memory of the 8 Memorial Run/Walk to be held on Sept. 16

Volleyball

 Six freshmen give New Mexico depth in 2011

 Words of Westman: UNLV sophomore to blog during the 2011 season

 Colorado State's Tom Hilbert still tweaking lineup

 Colorado State settling several issues during preseason camp

Women's Soccer

 Wyoming coach Danny Sanchez is confident the Cowgirls are hitting their stride

 Wyoming Cowgirls add an international flavor to the roster

 Boise State uses exhibition match to assist former Bronco

 Lobos dedicate season to George Montoya

 New Mexico Soccer watching its steps

Summer Baseball

 New Mexico's Trey Porras continues hitting ways as TCL's batting champ

Summer University Games

• New Mexico's Phil Anderson and fellow Canadian Lee Daigle upset No. 2 tennis seed in China

• Wyoming's Francisco Cruz is playing well for Mexico in World University Games

• Former CSU All-American to compete at World Championships

Miscellaneous

• Gentler approach working for Air Force coaches Matt McShane, Andrea Williams and Mike Kazlausky

• Former Wyoming sprinter Afiya Walker wins national title in home country

• UNLV's Sandrine Nzeukou provides updates from her workouts with the Cameroon women's basketball national team

• TCU women's basketball player Starr Crawford shares her thoughts about the upcoming season

• SDSU's assistant softball coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz helps USA Softball claim World Cup

Batty, whose time of 3:36.25 at the Mt. SAC Relays in April represented the top collegiate performance in the country in 2011, as well as a Mountain West record, was clocked at 3:45.07 on Saturday in a race won by Oregon junior Matthew Centrowitz (3:42.54).

By virtue of his top-eight finish, Batty became the fourth BYU men's team athlete to earn first-team All-American honors at the meet.

Also earning first-team All-American honors on Saturday was New Mexico senior Rory Fraser, who posted a sixth-place finish (13:39.40) in the men's 5,000-meter run. Fraser was one of three New Mexico athletes to qualify for the event. Junior Nicholas Kipruto garnered second-team All-American honors by finishing 11th in a time of 13:48.52. Lobo sophomore Ross Millington did not finish the race.

On the women's side, San Diego State junior Whitney Ashley, who earned first-team All-American honors on Wednesday by finishing seventh in the discus, fouled out of Saturday's shot put competition.

In the men's team standings, BYU finished eighth with 27.50 points in a competition won by defending champion Texas A&M (55.00).

Texas A&M (49.00) also captured the women's title. TCU's posted the top finish among MW women's teams, finishing 27th with 11.00 points.

The performance by Arrhenius, who garnered first-team All-American status by virtue of a top-eight finish, turned in his best throw (63'-6.75," 19.06m) on his second attempt.

Arrhenius, who finished behind Arizona State's Jordan Clarke (64'-9.75," 19.75m), wasn't alone in achieving national accolades on the men's side. New Mexico senior Keith Gerrard, who entered the meet with the fourth-best time in the event in the NCAA this season, finished seventh (28:36.33) in the 10,000-meter run, while Air Force senior Justin Tyner placed eighth (8:40.83) in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase.

Meanwhile, the MW women matched the men for first-team All-American honors, with TCU's Jessica Young finishing third in the 100-meter dash (11.14) and the UNLV duo of juniors Amanda Bingson and Chelsea Cassulo placing fourth and fifth, respectively, in the hammer throw. The pair is the first to earn the distinction at UNLV since Ashley Owens finished second in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor National Championships in 2006. Christine Spence was the last Rebel to achieve All-American status in outdoor competition when she finished sixth in the high jump and seventh in the 400-meter hurdles in 2005.

"Ending the season with two All-Americans is really exciting," said head coach Yvonne Scott. "Despite the (rainy) conditions of the meet, Amanda and Chelsea were able to hold their composure and secure their spots in the finals and represent UNLV. We are extremely proud of our Rebels."

Bingson exceeded 200 feet on three attempts, with her best effort measured at 211'-2.00" (64.36m). Cassulo's best throw of 210'-2.00" (64.07m) came on her first attempt.

Virginia Tech's Dorotea Habazin finished first overall with a top distance of 223-7 (68.15m).

Among MW athletes concluding standout seasons on the men's side Friday were Colorado State senior Tyson Williams, who earned second-team All-American honors by finishing 12th (59'-5.00," 18.11m) in the shot put; New Mexico sophomore Richard York, who finished 22nd in the men's decathlon competition with 7,229 points; and BYU senior Trevor Heiner, who placed 21st in the men's high jump with an effort of 6'-10.75" (2.10m).

On the women's side, the TCU team of freshman Briyanni Thomas, senior Kristal Juarez, senior Teneshia Hall and sophomore Quinterra Charles finished 15th in the prelims of the 1,600-meter relay (3:35.60); New Mexico's Deanna Young placed 21st (40'-6.75," 12.36m) in the women's triple jump; San Diego State freshman Allison Reaser posted an 18th-place-place finish in the heptathlon (5,156 points); and San Diego State sophomore Kelsy Hintz no-heighted in the women's pole vault.

Batty, whose Mountain West record time of 3:36.25 also represents the top mark in the NCAA this season, finished in a time of 3:42.84, second to Dorian Ulrey of Arkansas (3:42.44). New Mexico senior David Bishop (3:52.20) came up short in his attempt to qualify for Saturday's final, finishing in 20th place.

San Diego State freshman Allison Reaser is in 21st place with 3,106 points after the first day of the women's heptathlon.

Among MW athletes concluding standout seasons in their respective events on Thursday were TCU sophomore sprinter Charles Silmon, who finished 10th (20.82) in the men's 200-meter prelims; TCU senior sprinter Jessica Young, who posted a 14th-place finish (23.15) in the prelims of the women's 200 meters; Utah's Amanda Mergaert, who narrowly missed qualifying for the finals in the women's 1,500-meter race (4:19.96); and BYU's Ada Robinson, who tied for ninth in the women's high jump at 5'-10.75" (1.80m).

Air Force senior Noah Palicia was forced to withdraw from the second day of the men's decathlon competition due to a hamstring injury.

The meet was halted at approximately 10:30 p.m. CT Thursday due to storms in the area. Four events have been delayed until Friday, including the men's long jump and women's 1,600-meter relay, which had already begun when competition was initially delayed by weather earlier Thursday night. Competition in the men's 1,600-meter relay and men's 10,000-meter run has yet to begin.