Senior Jessica Young and sophomore Charles Silmon each earned trips to the NCAA Championship weekend, qualifying in the 100 meters at the NCAA West Preliminary Friday.

“Jessica and Charles both did a good job of getting through in the 100 meters,” TCU head coach Darryl Anderson said. “I thought they competed well considering the elements, because their execution was better today. The times were slow across the board today because of the cold weather, but at the end of the day, it’s a good accomplishment that they both got through. I felt bad for Mark Barnes because he didn’t make it through in the 100 meters, but he came back and qualified with Jessica and Charles in the 200 meters.”

Young chimed in at 11.44 seconds in the 100 meters for second place honors in the second quarterfinals heat to place fifth overall. She will be one of 24 semifinalists that will proceed to Des Moines, Iowa in two weeks in search of the event crown. The Columbia, S.C., native followed that performance by winning her heat in the preliminary round of the women’s 200 meters with a 23.43 clocking, advancing into Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Silmon worked his way in the semifinals of the men’s 100 meters after running 10.55 seconds in the quarterfinals for ninth overall. The Waco, Texas product also pushed his way into the quarterfinals of the men’s 200 meters, running 21.03 to top the third preliminary heat and place fourth overall. Silmon will be joined by junior Mark Barnes in the 200-meter quarters Saturday, after the Houston, Texas native ran 21.23. Barnes narrowly missed advancing in the men’s 100 meters, running 10.56.

TCU will return to Hayward Field Saturday to conclude the preliminary weekend of the NCAA Championships. The Frogs will have a busy day with the men’s discus, men’s triple jump, men’s and women’s 200-meter quarterfinals, men’s 5K, as well as the 400-meter and 1600-meter relay for the men and women.