Nevada’s Lilly Urban clinches spot at NCAAs; crucial NIL bill passes

On weekday mornings, Nevada Sports Net will recap three big headlines of the day in its Morning Download. Read below for today’s topics.

1. Nevada’s Lilly Urban clinches spot at NCAA Championships

Nevada javelin thrower Lilly Urban clinched a spot at the NCAA Championships on Thursday night at the NCAA West Preliminary with a mark of 53.49 meters on her third and final throw to move from 14th in the field to eighth with the top 12 advancing to nationals. Urban was just outside of the top 12 while competing in the fourth and final heat. The sixth-to-last thrower in the competition, Urban hurled her way into the NCAA Championships, which will be held June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., with the women’s javelin scheduled for June 12 at 5:15 p.m. Nevada sprinter Magdalene George advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA West Preliminary in the 100 (11.30 seconds, 19th) and 200 (23.29, 21st). She looks to advance to nationals during Saturday’s quarterfinals in the West Preliminary. Also competing for Nevada on Thursday were Izzy Steerman (35th in the javelin) and Annalies Kalma (29th in the 400). Meekness Dogonyaro will compete in the triple jump Saturday.

2. Crucial NIL bill passes Nevada state legislature

Nevada lawmakers approved a bill Thursday to allow Nevada and UNLV to directly pay athletes, which would pave the way for the Wolf Pack and Rebels to take part in the revenue-sharing element of the House vs. NCAA case. Schools would be allowed to share up to $20.5 million in revenue per year directly with athletes, which had long been prohibited at the NCAA level. Current state law language forbids colleges from directly paying athletes, which SB 293 remedies. It was sent to Gov. Joe Lombardo’s desk, who must give final approval of the bill. Nevada athletic director Stephanie Rempe and football coach Jeff Choate argued in favor of the bill earlier this session, saying it was necessary for the Wolf Pack to compete in recruiting and retention efforts.

3. Jordan Lawlar sent to Aces; Ildemaro Vargas replaces him

Top prospect Jordan Lawlar is being optioned back to the Reno Aces after a difficult and brief stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 22-year-old went 0-of-19 with nine strikeouts over eight games with six starts and had a pair of errors in a game earlier this week. In his big-league career, he is hitting 4-of-50 (.080) with 20 strikeouts in 22 games. Lawlar was hitting .336/.413/.579 in Triple-A Reno before being called up to the big-league team. Taking his place will be Ildemaro Vargas, the Aces’ all-time hit king who opted out of his minor-league deal with Arizona earlier this week and will be brought back on a major-league deal.

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