UAlbany's Joe Greene Reaches 400-Meter Hurdle Finals at NCAA Championships

Sacramento, Calif. – University at Albany’s Joe Greene advanced to the men’s 400-meter intermediate hurdles finals for the second straight year at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships on Friday evening at California State University, Sacramento’s A.G. Spanos Sports Complex. Greene finished third in his heat in a time of 50.20. The top three in each of the two heats, along with the next best two times, automatically advanced the next round.

Louisiana State’s Isa Phillips posted the day’s best time in the second heat, crossing the line in 49.31. Brandon Johnson of UCLA finished in 49.41, while Justin Gaymon of Georgia posted a time of 49.85. Along with Greene, Thomas Hillard of South Carolina (50.01), Bryan Scott of Texas Tech (50.13), Andrew Peresta of Hampton (50.21) and Hamza Deyaf of Texas (50.60) advanced to the finals, which will take place on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET.

“I am really proud of him,” said UAlbany head coach Roberto Vives. “It was technically one of his worst races of the year, but he caught all of those guys to finish third. He is a true competitor.”

Greene, a two-time IC4A champion and the 2007 America East Conference Championship’s most outstanding performer, finished third at NCAA East Regionals to qualify for the national meet. He sprinted a school-record 50.18 to register the best finish by a UAlbany athlete in regional competition.

Marc Pallozzi, the UAlbany record holder in the men’s javelin, will compete in the finals on Friday at 10:15 p.m. ET. He placed 10th in last year’s NCAA championship.

NCAA Track & Field Championships

400-Meter Hurdles – Semifinals (Advance to Finals)

1. Isa Phillips (LSU), 49.31, 2. Brandon Johnson (UCLA), 49.41, 3. Justin Gaymon (Georgia), 49.85, 4. Thomas Hilliard (South Carolina), 50.01, 5. Bryan Scott (Texas Tech), 50.13, 6. Joe Greene (UAlbany), 50.20, 7. Andrew Peresta (Hampton), 50.21, 8. Hamza Deyaf (Texas), 50.60