SACRAMENTO, California - The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Western Regional got underway Wednesday evening and three qualifiers from Southern Utah had the chance to show their stuff against the tough field. All three competed well and outperformed their rank and Sophomore Cedar English even qualified for Nationals with his performance.
English was one of the first Southern Utah athletes to compete Wednesday in the long jump. English would put up his top mark right away jumping 25"4'. The score would hold up for 5th place overall and earn English a spot at the National Championships in Austin, Texas in June.
Santiago Gaitan qualified in the Men's 1500m race. Gaitan ran an impressive 3:46.27 time to finish 27th overall. The time is one of Gaitan's top times of his career. Freshman Sprinter Jaedyn Carpenter would wrap up the night for SUU by competing in the Men's 400m race. Carpenter ran a 46.94, his third-fastest time this season. The time was around half a second behind the qualifying time for nationals.
Coach Eric Houle Said
"It was a very good opening day for us. Each athlete performed at their rank or higher in the West Regional poll. Cedar outperforming his rank and qualifying for the National Championships is such a credit to his hard work and determination. He bounced back from WAC Championships where he went into the meet ranked in the top four and did not place. He is the only one in the WAC conference that made it to the National Championship, in the Long Jump."
Next Up
The Thunderbirds will continue at the NCAA Division I Western Regional Thursday afternoon. It will be the ladies' turn to shine. Catch the Action on ESPN+ or follow the live results here.
