University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NCAA East Preliminary Round
Four Qualify For NCAA Quarterfinals After First Day
May 27, 2016 | Track & Field
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Carolina track and field teams completed the first day of competition at the NCAA East Preliminary on Thursday with a few Tar Heels advancing for more competition.
“I was very excited to see most of our veteran kids advance through the first round of qualifying,” head coach Harlins Meaders said. “Lizzy was in a very tough heat but performed very well. In the 400 Hurdles and in the 400m both of our kids drew lane 9. This is a very tough lane because you are the target for everyone. Both Ceo and Kenny were able advance to the next round Kenny with the fastest qualifying time from the all the heats. Javonte drew probably the toughest competition in his 400m hurdle race but he's been to this meet multiple times and ran a very smart race.
“In the field events seniors Avana Story, AJ Hicks and Austin Vegas competed well but came up short of making the cut to Eugene. We will miss Avana as she graduated earlier this spring. AJ will have one more chance to advance to Eugene when he competes in the discus. Austin will return for his final season of indoor track.
“I am very proud of the growth that our others kids have shown this season. Joey Souza in the long jump and Hannah in the 10k tonight promise to be bright spots for our team next season.
“We still have multiple opportunities to advance both men and women to Eugene and are looking forward to day two of competition tomorrow.”
Kenny Selmon and Javonte Lipsey qualified for tomorrow's round of the 400-meter hurdles. Selmon posted the fastest times of the prelims running 49.92, a season best for the sophomore. Lipsey took second in his heat running 51.15 to automatically qualify for tomorrow's competition.
Ceo Ways also advanced to tomorrow's portion of competition. Ways took second in his heat of the 400m at 46.57 to qualify for the next round.
Lizzy Whelan finished fifth in her heat of the women's 800m, but still advanced to tomorrow's competition in the 800m for finishing in 2:06.33. Whelan's heat was incredibly competitive and her fast time qualified her for the quarterfinals tomorrow.
Avana Story came up a little short in the women's hammer throwing 191-8 (58.42 meters). She took 17th in the competition.
AJ Hicks did not advance in the men's hammer. Hicks took 21st with a throw of 210-2 (64.07 meters).
Joey Souza jumped 23-7 ½ (7.20 meters) in the long jump and finished 33rd.
Hannah Christen finished 27th in the women's 10k with a time of 35:31.89.
Austin Vegas finished the men's pole vault in 37th after clearing 15-11 (4.85 meters).
Carolina will have the four individuals who qualified for the quarterfinals compete tomorrow, along with several individuals in the field events.
Players Mentioned
