Kern qualifies for Nationals on final day of NCAA West Prelims

Thursday, May 24

Sacramento, CA

TBA

Southern Illinois University

NCAA West Regional

Photo by: Dave Wegiel

Kern qualifies for Nationals on final day of NCAA West Prelims

05/26/2018 | 10:02:00 | Track and Field

Saluki thrower Jared Kern secured his spot at the national meet in Eugene, Ore., Saturday on the final day of the NCAA West Preliminary in Hornet Stadium.

Kern punched his ticket to the national meet after he finished 11th in the shot put with a heave of 61'-1.25" (18.62m). It is the first time that the two-time All-American has qualified for the outdoor national meet as both of Kern's previous national meet appearances came indoors.

The Saluki women's 4x100 relay team of Genesis Ewell, Shafiqua Maloney, Tyjuana Eason and Bri'Anna Branch combined to run 44.97 and missed competing at the national meet by .08 seconds. SIU took fifth in it's heat and 13th overall.

The top-12 finishers in their respective events at the NCAA East and West Preliminaries advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships held June 6-9 in Eugene, Ore.

Several Salukis fell short of qualifying for the national meet. Shauniece O'Neal, who was competing at her first regional meet, threw 182'-0" (55.18m) to finish 34th. Marcellus Fletcher took 37th in the triple jump with his mark of 48'-7.25" (14.81m) while SIU's 4x400 relay team of Ewell, Maloney, Eason and Chrissa Harris placed 22nd with a time of 3:42.55. Ricky Hurley competed in the shot put but was unable to record a legal mark.

Overall, SIU will be represented by three student athletes at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Hurley will throw the hammer, while Warren Hazel will run the 400m and Kern will compete in the shot put.