Report by LBSU

Long Beach State junior Kenneth Medwood saw his season come to an end Wednesday evening as he fell just short in the preliminary round of the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held at the University of Arkansas’ McDonnell Field.

A total of eighteen athletes advanced to Thursday’s semifinal round with the top three finishers in each heat, plus the next three-fastest competitors overall, moving one step closer to a national title.

Medwood, who competed in the fifth and final 400-hurdle group, barely missed out on a qualifying spot, placing fourth in his heat and 21st overall with a time of 51.02 seconds.

Medwood, who was the lone 49er competing at the national championships, concluded a stellar first season at The Beach. A transfer from East Los Angeles College, he was an All-Big West performer and NCAA West Regional qualifier in the 400 hurdles and long jump, while he also established the team’s top marks of the season in three different events.

The Los Angeles native owns the fourth-fastest 400-hurdle time in school history after he clocked in at 50.94 seconds for a runner-up finish at the Cal-Nevada Championships on March 29.