FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Results
Highlight Video

May 15, 2009-- The North Central College track and field squads combined to post four NCAA qualifying performances at the two-day Gregory Invitational hosted at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Pole vault performances dominated Thursday as Rachel Secrest and Jake Winder each hit automatic qualifying marks while Friday was marred by thunderstorms and rain, hindering several athlete's chances of qualifying for next weekends National Championships in Marietta, Ohio.

During Thursday's vault competition, Secrest vaulted 13 feet, 5 1/4 inches (4.10 meters), topping her own national record of 13'2 1/4" (4.02m) set in North Central's Dr. Keeler Invitational the previous week. Her outdoor personal best prior to this season was 13'0 3/4". On the men's side, Winder cleared 17'02.25" to finish first among collegiate competitors and third overall with the automatic qualifying mark.

On Friday, Brandye Jackson finished third in the 100 meter hurdles, clocking a provisionally qualifying time of 14.72 while the 4x400 meter relay squad turned in a season-best effort, running a 3:56.09 to place fifth and provisionally qualify for nationals.

For the men, Ryan Armstrong placed fifth in the shot put with a toss of 49'07" while Dan Buys finished just under a second shy of provisionally qualifying in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, clocking a 9:23.74 to also finish fifth.

The official field for the 2009 NCAA Division III National Championships will be released on Sunday afternoon with the meet getting underway on Thursday, May 21 and running through Saturday.