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Men's Track and Field Joe Browning

Parks Moves On At NCAA T&F East Region

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Senior hurdler Josh Parks of UNCW advanced to Friday's quarterfinals in the 110 meter hurdles as four members of the UNCW men's track and field team opened competition in the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F East Preliminary Round on Wednesday (May 24) at North Florida's Hodges Stadium.
 
Parks, from Kannapolis, N.C., competed in the 110m and 400m Hurdles, junior Nickolis Anderson raced in the 400m Dash and sophomore Ryan DeBarber and freshman Miles Higgins took part in the javelin throw.
 
The speedy Parks clocked a 13.65 time in the 110m hurdles to finish in the top-three of his heat and automatically qualify for Friday's quarters. He moved on for the second time in as many years at the meet. Later in the day, Parks finished 39th in the 400m hurdles with a time of 53.45.
 
"Josh had a great start and great finish to his race to earn the automatic qualification," said Jeff Klaves, UNCW's fourth-year head track and field coach. "He's been doing a tremendous job learning how to compete and put together a complete race. This was the benefit of running fast early in the season to give him opportunities to just be relaxed and compete.  "We're proud of him and all that he continues to accomplish.  Now, we'll keep it simple and compete to try to earn another race."
 
Anderson, from Hubert, N.C., finished 38th in the 400m in his NCAA debut with a time of 47.65. Earlier this season, he broke a 23-year-old school record at the Raleigh Relays and then eclipsed it again at the CAA Championships on May 5 with a time of 46.27.
 
"What a season Nick had," said Klaves. "We're beyond proud of all that he's accomplished to be here in this moment today at the NCAA East Prelims. Nick's goal in his freshman year was to run 48 seconds. This year every single one of his races was sub-48, with the big highlights his 46-second race to win the Raleigh Relays and the improvement on that to run 46.27 to place third in the conference meet.
 
"We want to build our team with hard working, character driven athletes like Nick. He has a mindset that is going to help transform our competitive environment in the years to come. We're excited to build on the experience he gained this year."
 
DeBarber, from Enfield, Conn., and Higgins, from Ligonier, Pa., opened the competition for the Seahawks by competing in the javelin early Wednesday. The pair entered the meet with the second and third best marks all-time in the Seahawk program.
 
DeBarber wound up in 38th place with a throw of 61.47m (201-4), whiles Higgins came in 40th at 60.69m (199-1).
 
"I'm so proud of Ryan and Miles," said Klaves. "Experience is our best teacher. With both of these young men, we now know first-hand the type of efforts it takes to qualify. There's no doubt they belong here and deserved to join the nation's best throwers.
"Ryan and Miles are building something special in our program.  We'll start next year with the expectation to be right back here."

The quartet make up part of a six-member contingent – the most in 13 years – that traveled to the Sunshine State for the NCAA meet.
 
Senior Courtney Lines is next up on Thursday when she returns to the regionals in the long jump. She finished 30th in last year's meet and is scheduled to jump at 6 p.m.
 
UNCW Remaining Schedule | 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor East Preliminary Round

Thursday, May 25, 2023
Courtney Lines, Long Jump, 6:00 p.m. (First Round)
 
Friday, May 26, 2023
Donovan Lara, High Jump, 2:30 p.m. (First Round)
Josh Parks, 110m Hurdles, 6:15 p.m. (Quarterfinals)
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Courtney Lines

Courtney Lines

5' 11"
Freshman
Long Jump
Josh Parks

Josh Parks

6' 2"
Freshman
Sprints/Jumps
Ryan DeBarber

Ryan DeBarber

Throws
6' 0"
Sophomore
Throws
Donovan Lara

Donovan Lara

Jumps
6' 0"
Sophomore
Jumps
Miles Higgins

Miles Higgins

Throws
6' 3"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Courtney Lines

Courtney Lines

5' 11"
Freshman
Long Jump
Josh Parks

Josh Parks

6' 2"
Freshman
Sprints/Jumps
Ryan DeBarber

Ryan DeBarber

6' 0"
Sophomore
Throws
Throws
Donovan Lara

Donovan Lara

6' 0"
Sophomore
Jumps
Jumps
Miles Higgins

Miles Higgins

6' 3"
Freshman
Throws