University of North Carolina Athletics
Selmon Takes Third In 400-Meter Hurdles Final
June 11, 2016 | Track & Field
EUGENE, Ore. – Kenny Selmon took third place in the final of the men's 400-meter hurdles on Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Selmon's third-place finish earns the men's team six points and a tie for 36th.
“To come out here and finish third as a true sophomore is an outstanding job well done,” head coach Harlis Meaders said. “It's been a wonderful year for him and it's important for our program that he does well on the big stage. It goes to show that we are recruiting the right types of kids and I think it's a bright point for our future.”
Selmon got off to decent start running out of lane three and finished in 49.56. The sophomore from Mableton, Ga., isn't finished competing in Oregon just yet. Selmon will be back at Hayward Field to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
“Kenny really earned that,” sprints and hurdles coach Steve Rubin said. “It says a lot that even when he doesn't run a perfect race he can still run a fast time and get a good result in the place finish.”
Selmon stumbled after the eighth hurdles which set him back considerably.
“He lost his balance and almost ran out of his lane. That threw him off to the ninth hurdle where he had to stutter and get two more steps in, which means he basically had to stop and restart.”
A great effort from Selmon down the stretch allowed him to preserve a good race. He closed the final hurdle and last 80 meters with determination and didn't allow the competition to pass him.
“I thought it was the most impressive thing I've seen him do all year,” Rubin said. “He had a tough spot there and it says a lot that he was able to keep it going.”
Selmon's 49.56 is the third-best time he's ran this year, and it's faster than any time he ran the previous year. It wasn't his best race of the year, but it was a good one, and allowed him to take third.
“It wouldn't make sense for me to be upset with a season, or this meet or that race,” said Selmon. “I can nitpick what I did wrong, and I'll go back and watch my race, but right now I'm proud of third place and All-America. I'm proud of the work I put in and I'm not finished yet.”
Selmon becomes the third Tar Heel to earn First-team All-America honors in the 400-meter hurdles. The previous two were school-record holder and national champion Ken Harnden, and teammate RJ Alowonle who placed fifth in 2014.
Selmon will compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials July 1-10.
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