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Badgers track and field: Alex Thompson qualifies for NCAA championships; Molly Hanson, Joe Hardy move one step away

University of Wisconsin senior Alex Thompson booked his ticket to the national championships by placing fourth in the discus at the NCAA West preliminary round track and field meet on Thursday in Austin, Texas.

Thompson earned his spot at the national meet in Eugene, Oregon, next month with a toss of 188 feet, 7 inches.

Junior Molly Hanson, a former Dodgeville athlete, advanced to the finals of the 1,500 meters by finishing second in her qualifying heat.

Hanson crossed the line in 4 minutes, 23.20 seconds after a final-lap surge. She broke with the leaders with 800 meters to go and ran at the back of a pack of seven until the bell lap, when she moved to the outside and eventually passed all but heat winner Raquel Lambdin of UC Davis.