Southeast Missouri State track and field athletes fall short of national meet on first day of regional prelims

Southeast Missouri State did not have any track and field athletes qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships on the opening day NCAA West Region Preliminary Championships on Thursday at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The top 12 individuals advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships from each event.

Jackson graduate Blake Smith was the highest Southeast finisher on Day 1.

Smith took 25th in the long jump with a jump of 23 feet, 10 1/4 inches. Blake Carter finished 41st with a jump of 22-9 1/4.

Brian Grote and Chris Navarro were 41st (188-10) and 45th (185-5) in the javelin, respectively.

Bethany Pfeiffer finished 33rd in the women's javelin with a throw of 141-10.

Courtney Gapelu's throw of 46-11 1/2 in the shot put was good for 41st place.

Jessica Brown was 44th in the long jump with a distance of 17-11.

Southeast has five competitors that will compete today: Kevin Farley in the hammer throw, Kayla Gutierrez in the discus, Ahshane Johnson and Kim Moye in the triple jump and Reggie Miller in the high jump.

* Missouri's Jill Rushin, a Jackson High School graduate, qualified for the nationals with a throw of 54-4, finishing seventh.