12 Terps Qualify for NCAA East Prelims

5/20/2021 2:39:00 PM | Track & Field

By: Maryland Media Relations

College Park, Md. -- Twelve members of the University of Maryland outdoor track and field team have qualified for the 2021 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships East Preliminary Competition.

The competition will take place next weekend, from May 26-29 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla.

"I am excited to have the opportunity for this group to extend their season and compete among the best in the NCAA," said Head Coach, Andrew Valmon.

For the women, senior Bria Mack and junior Jaida Smith both qualified for the 100m dash prelim. This season, Smith's season-best time in the event was 11.58s and Mack's was 11.61s.

Leah Blackall will represent the Terrapins in the triple jump. Blackall's season-best is a mark of 12.54m.

Seniors Angel Nkwonta and Alice Barnsdale both qualified to compete in the hammer throw. This season, Nkwonta set the all-time best record with a mark of 62.76m, besting the former record-holder, Alice Barnsdale. Barnsdale will enter with a season-best mark of 61.68m.

Nkwonta also qualified for the women's shot put where she held a season-best mark of 17.27m.

In the men's category, Caleb Dean qualified for three events, the men's 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles and he will anchor the men's 4x100 relay team accompanied by freshman Kamari Trotz, junior Cameron Vereen and sophomore Joe Ewan.

The men's 4x100 team will qualify with a season-best time of 40.19s. Dean's season best in the 110mH is 14.06 and in the 400mH, 49.77. Dean's 400mH time ranks 11th in the NCAA and 3rd in the East Region.

In the high jump, Kaithon McDonald qualified with a season best mark of 2.14m which he jumped at the Big Ten Championships.

Both freshmen Jeff Kline and Hayden Tobias will qualify in the men's Shot Put. Kline's season-best is 18.58m and Tobias' is 18.48m.

The complete list of participants is available on the following website. For more information regarding the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, click or tap here.