O’Donnell took 10th in the 10,000-meter run, crossing the line in 29:11.54, which advanced him to the NCAA final in two weeks. Teammate Assaf Harari wrapped up his rookie campaign with a 25th-place finish in 30:03.53, while Nathan Lawler and Alex Comerford were 40th and 41st in the event.
Two other members of the Orange saw their seasons continue on Wednesday as well. Jaheem Hayles easily cruised to the quarterfinal round of the 110-meter hurdles, while Nathan Henderson automatically reached the quarters in the 1,500-meter run.
Hayles’ time was the fifth-best in the hurdles in 13.48 seconds. He crossed the line more than three tenths ahead of the fourth-place finisher in his heat, securing one of automatic berths with ease.
Henderson had the fourth-fastest overall time on Wednesday in the 1,500-meter run. He was fourth in the fourth heat, with a time of 3:45.00, that automatically advances him to Friday’s quarterfinal. Karl Winter (3:48.90), also raced in the event, but failed to advance, taking 37th.
Sophomore Xayvion Perkins and Freshman Elijah Mallard made their NCAA debuts in the 400-meter hurdles. Perkins was fourth in his heat, crossing the line in 52.44 and was one place out of the qualifying spots. Mallard finished in 53.95 seconds, which was 42nd overall.
Another first-time nationals performance came from Trei Thorogood in the 200-meter dash. He set a personal-best time of 20.92 with legal wind. He took 38th overall.
Next up for the Orange will be the first day of women’s racing. Shaleah Colaire will race in the 400-meter hurdles first round, before Amanda Vestri, Savannah Roark, Sophia Jacobs-Townsley and Ellie Lawler race in the 10k semifinal.