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Men's Track and Field

Parks Completes NCAA Track Debut

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Junior hurdler Josh Parks finished 33rd in the 110 Meter Hurdles and 39th in the 400 Meter Hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field East Preliminary Round on Wednesday at Indiana's Haugh Track & Field Complex in Bloomington, Ind.
 
The Kannapolis, N.C., product did not qualify in either event for the NCAA National Championships at Oregon's historic Hayward Field on June 8-11, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. The top-12 finishers in each event move on to the nationals.
 
In Wednesday's highly-competitive meet, Parks went 14.00 in the 110 Hurdles and clocked a 53:01 time in the 400 Hurdles. He entered the meet ranked 31st in the 400 and 37th in the 110 Hurdles.
 
"After seeing both of Josh's races, we know we belong," said UNCW Head Coach Jeff Klaves. "We're taking away a lot from this experience. We're not rushing the process, but we can't wait to be back in this moment to attack and have another opportunity to qualify for the NCAAs. We're very proud of Josh's season and everything he's done."
 
Parks, who battled through injuries one year ago, was making his NCAA debut.
 
"I felt the atmosphere of being at a huge meet," said Parks. "My start wasn't great in the short hurdles. I didn't feel like I was attacking as well as I should have been. Going into last five hurdles, I started pushing a lot harder and putting my arms through the race."
 
Less than two hours later, Parks was tackling the rigorous 400 Hurdles.
 
"I felt pretty good warming up. I knew I needed to execute the right way to make it to the next round. I was fatigued after doing the 110 full-out. It takes something out of you. My warm-up went well. It was definitely not one of my best starts. Going out that fast and that strong knocked me off my rhythm. Going into the first hurdle, I had to stutter to be on the right leg for the rest of the race. I got my rhythm and got into a comfortable running form. I wanted to finish the race strong and have a decent outcome."
 
Two other Seahawk student-athletes compete over the next two days. Junior Courtney Lines (Leland, N.C.) takes part in the Women's Long Jump on Thursday at 2 p.m., while freshman Donovan Lara (Seagrove, N.C.) competes in the Men's High Jump on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
 
UNCW Student-Athletes Schedule | NCAA Outdoor East Preliminary Round

Thursday, May 26, 2022
Courtney Lines, Long Jump, 2:00 p.m. (First Round)
 
Friday, May 27, 2022
Donovan Lara, High Jump, 2:30 p.m. (First Round)
 


 
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Players Mentioned

Josh Parks

Josh Parks

6' 2"
Freshman
Sprints/Jumps
Donovan Lara

Donovan Lara

Jumps
6' 0"
Freshman
Jumps

Players Mentioned

Josh Parks

Josh Parks

6' 2"
Freshman
Sprints/Jumps
Donovan Lara

Donovan Lara

6' 0"
Freshman
Jumps
Jumps