FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Nine Southern Utah University Track and Field athletes competed at the NCAA West Regionals hosted by Arkansas University this week. Elizabeth White shined in the Women's Long Jump, recording a leap of 20-6 ½, which earned her 10th place and an advancement to the NCAA Championships. The end of the regional round marks the end of the outdoor season for all other SUU athletes; but, their accomplishments were nothing short of incredible.
Day One:
Bronis MacDougall was the first SUU athlete to compete in the regionals round, taking part in the Men's Javelin Throw. MacDougall recorded a throw of 172-5, taking 47th place in the event. The freshman failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships; however, he had an incredible first outdoor season competing for the Thunderbirds. MacDougall tallied one first place finish at the Rafer Johnson & Jackie-Joyner Invite and recorded a personal best throw of 210-4 at the Big Sky Championships.
Nelson Douglas competed in the Men's 200 Meter Dash on Wednesday night, recording a time of 21.41, finishing 40th in the event. The senior had an impressive outdoor season, recording two top three finishes, which included a first place victory at the ISU Bengal Invite and a second place finish at the Big Sky Championships.
Day Two:
Emma Nwachukwu qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Regionals for the second time in her career, competing in the Women's Hammer Throw on Thursday morning. Nwachukwu did not have the performance that she hoped for; however, she made her mark on the Southern Utah Track and Field program throughout her career. Nwachukwu recorded five top three finishes this outdoor season, including a first place victory at the BYU Robison Invitational, where she accomplished the second best throw in the event in SUU program history (198-3).
Elizabeth White became the first long jumper in Southern Utah Track and Field history to qualify for the NCAA Championships on Thursday evening. White had a phenomenal showing, where she finished tenth on the leaderboard, thereby securing her spot in Oregon to compete for a National Title. White's outdoor season has been outstanding, recording three first place finishes and setting the program record by leaping to a mark of 20-9 ¾ at the Weber State Spring Classic. White will travel to Eugene, Oregon for the National Championships, taking place from June 8-11.
Day Three:
Following an exceptional outdoor season, Joren McKeever qualified for and competed in the Men's High Jump at the NCAA Regionals on Friday. McKeever managed to clear a height of 6-8 ¾ to finish 39th place on the final leaderboard. A sophomore, McKeever made massive improvements throughout his freshman season, recording two first place finishes this spring and moving up to third in SUU history for the high jump by clearing a mark of 7-0¾.
Jacob Francis completed a spectacular career with the Thunderbirds on Friday afternoon, recording a time of 19.15.05 in the Men's 3K Steeplechase. Francis recorded one first place finish this outdoor season at the Stanford Invitational. He also managed to set the program record for the event at the Payton Jordan Invitational, running a blistering time of 8:49.49 to soar up to the top of the record books.
In his second NCAA Outdoor Regional appearance, Nate Osterstock took 31st place in the Men's 5000 Meter Run, finishing with a time of 14:02.81. Osterstock has had one of the best careers in Southern Utah history. He currently holds the program record for best time in the 1500 Meter Run and Mile Run; he also ranks second in the 5000 Meter Run. Osterstock has the option to exercise a fifth year of eligibility and return to SUU for one final season.
Day Four:
Ajia Hughes finished an exceptional freshman season by taking 13th place in the Women's High Jump, barely missing out on advancing to the NCAA Championships. Hughes had one of the most impressive freshman seasons in program history, recording five top-five finishes, including a first place victory at the Weber State Spring Classic. Hughes also set the SUU Track and Field record for Women's High Jump at the Big Sky Championships, clearing a height of 20-9 ¾ .
Haley Tanne closed out the NCAA Regionals for SUU, taking 30th place in the Women's 3K Steeplechase with a time of 10:37.12. Tanne has been a powerful force for SUU this season, as she set the program record for the 3k Steeplechase, recording a time of 10:17.29 at the Mt. Sac Relays. She also took home a first-place finish at the Stanford Invitational.
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