Parker top qualifier in 200 prelims

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The nation's No. 1 200 meter dash sprinter is one step closer to becoming a national champion. Eastern New Mexico's Marcus Parker entered Friday's qualifier at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with the top time in the country, and not surprisingly, he'll enter Saturday as the top qualifier.

Parker not only won Heat 2 of the qualifier with a time of 20.55 seconds, but he earned the top time heading into today's final.

The sophomore from Phoenix beat out Lee's Justin Brooks (20.95) by almost a half-second to win Heat 2, and his 20.55-second time was almost two-10ths better than No. 2 qualifier NaRon Rollins from Pittsburg State, who recorded a 20.73 to win Heat 1.

Kenneth Lloyd, meanwhile, participated in the high jump final, but didn't have the result he was hoping to achieve. Lloyd could not break the 7-foot barrier, and had to settle for a 10th-place finish.

Lloyd's jump of 6-10.25 (2.09 meters) was 3 1/2 inches shy of winner Dakari Hightower (7-1.75, 2.18) from St. Augustine's.

On the women's side, Greyhound 400 relay teammates Kandice Miles and Danee Bustos competed in the first round of the 200 meter dash qualifier, but were unable to advance to today's final.

Miles and Bustos placed back-to-back in fifth and sixth-place, respectively, in Heat 1. Miles finished with a time of 24.52 seconds, with Bustos at 24.75.

Chelsea Hayward of Roberts Wesleyan was the top qualifier for today's final, recording a time of 23.38 seconds. The slowest time of the top eight finalists (24.12) was still four-10ths faster than Miles.

Today will mark the final day of the championships, with three chances at national titles.

Parker is running in the 100 and 200, while the 400 relay team will run with Bustos, Miles, Maijah Mathis and Lateria Slaughter.