WILMINGTON, North Carolina – The UNCW men's and women's track and field programs will send eight athletes – the most in 14 years – to compete in the NCAA East Preliminaries to be held May 22-25 in Lexington, Ky.
UNCW's Josh Parks (Men's 110M Hurdles and 400M Hurdles), J.T. Allen (Men's 110M Hurdles), Nickolis Anderson (Men's 400 Meters), Ryan DeBarber (Men's Javelin), Miles Higgins (Men's Javelin), Bryson Robinson (Men's Long Jump), Courtney Lines (Women's Long Jump) and Jordyn Robbins (Women's Javelin) will represent the Seahawks on the NCAA level next week.
"It's a great day to be a Seahawk. Looking across the board, we are so proud of this year's qualifiers," said Head Coach Jeff Klaves. "Moments like this always start back in the fall. Each deserves a huge congratulations, but they know the job isn't finished yet. What this moment represents is that we continue to create a competitive culture that knows the extent of what the championship segment of track and field is."
Three athletes punched their ticket to the NCAA Regional at the Coastal Athletic Association Outdoor T&F Championships last weekend. Parks clocked a 50.49 time in the 400M Hurdles while Robinson and Robbins each earned CAA gold with wins in the Men's Long Jump (7.89m) and Women's Javelin (48.31m), respectively.
Parks returns to the national stage one year after being the first UNCW track athlete to reach the NCAA National Championships in 17 years. The Kannapolis, N.C., product finished 21st in the nation in the 100M Hurdles with a time of 13.99 and was an Honorable Mention All-American.
Eight participates is the most of the Jeff Klaves-era and has given the Seahawks a combined 14 NCAA athletes over the last two seasons. The Seahawks are tied for the most men qualifiers (six) in the CAA.
"In an era, when we're seeing track and field being the most competitive it ever has, the growth of our league continues to push us to get to this next level," said Klaves.
NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY QUALIFYING MARKS
Men's 110M Hurdles
15. Josh Parks (13.57 – Duke Invitational)
18. J.T. Allen (13.64 – Duke Invitational)
Men's 400M Hurdles
19. Josh Parks (50.49 – CAA Outdoor Championships)
Men's 400 Meters
23. Nickolis Anderson (45.95 – East Coast Relays)
Men's Javelin
29. Miles Higgins (67.26m – Seahawk Invitational)
35. Ryan DeBarber (66.15m – Bill Carson Invitational)
Men's Long Jump
6. Bryson Robinson (7.89 – CAA Outdoor Championships)
Women's Long Jump
41. Courtney Lines (6.17m – CAA Outdoors Championships)
Women's Javelin
26. Jordyn Robbins (48.31m – CAA Outdoor Championships)
