Kandace Arnold Earns Trip To NCAA Nationals

Saturday, May 29 2010 - NCAA Regionals (Outdoor)


Senior becomes first woman to advance for EIU
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AUSTIN, Texas - Senior Kandace Arnold made history on Thursday afternoon in Austin, Texas as she became the first Eastern Illinois female athlete to advance to the NCAA National Outdoor Track & Field Championships.  

Arnold was seeded 13th heading into the NCAA West Regional hosted by the University of Texas.  She was able to place in the top 16 in the preliminary round giving her three more chances to earn a trip to Eugene, Oregon.  Arnold had a school record toss of 52'6.75 on her final attempt to finish in the top 12, which earn a trip to the NCAA meet.  Arnold finished 8th in the event.

Zye Boey his individual season placing 32nd in the 100m dash with a time of 10.71.  Darren Patterson also ended his invidual season as he was 39th in the 400m dash with a time of 47.92.  Boey and Patterson will compete on Saturday as part of the Panthers 4x100 relay. 

In the men's 800m first round Jason Springer posted a time of 1:48.70 to land in 9th place and advance to the quarterfinal round on Friday evening.  Springer will need to finish in the top 12 of the quarterfinal round to advance to the NCAA Nationals.  Sean Wiggan just missed the quarterfinals placing 25th with a time of 1:49.57, he was just .05 seconds out of the top 24.

Megan Gingerich moved through to Friday's quarterfinal roun in the women's 800m as she finished her first round race with a time of 2:08.43.  That time placed her 17th among the 24 runners who advanced to the Friday segment.  The top 12 finishers in Friday's race will earn a trip to the NCAA National Championships.