Garretson Garners NCAA Championship Berth to Headline Akron’s Efforts on Day One of NCAA East Preliminary Round

Wednesday, May 25

Bloomington, Ind.

University of Akron

NCAA East Preliminary Round

Garretson Garners NCAA Championship Berth to Headline Akron’s Efforts on Day One of NCAA East Preliminary Round

May 25 | Track & Field

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BLOOMINGTON, IND. - University of Akron freshman Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., June 8-11, on the strength of a qualifying mark in the men's pole vault to highlight the performances of the Zips' men's track and field team at the NCAA East Preliminary Round Championship hosted by Indiana University on Wednesday, May 25.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Garretson garnered his first berth to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and second overall NCAA Championship appearance on the strength of a qualifying mark of 17-4.25 (5.29m). After passing at the opening two bars of 16-0.5 (4.89m) and 16-6.50 (5.04m), Garretson eclipsed the bar at 17-0.25 (5.19m) and 17-4.25 (5.29m) on his opening attempt at each bar.
• Freshman Jimmy Harkelroad (Huron, Ohio) narrowly missed advancing the quarterfinal round of the men's 400-meter hurdles falling seven one-hundredths of second shy of a top-24 performance crossing the line in 51.64.
• Redshirt sophomore Charles Sanders (Cincinnati, Ohio) registered a time of 47.07 in the opening round of the men's 400 meters.
• Redshirt junior Milton Wilson (Streetsboro, Ohio) and sophomore Jabari Neal-Jackson (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded marks of 201-11 (61.54m) and 193-0 (58.82m) in the men's hammer.
• Sophomore Dimitrije Novakovic (Belgrade, Serbia) tallied a mark of 23-3.50 (7.10m) in the men's long jump.
• Freshman Oscar Prieto (Barcelona, Spain) registered a mark of 16-6.50 (5.04m) in the men's pole vault.

UP NEXT:
Akron continues competition at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Thursday May 26.

WEDNESDAY MEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
Hammer: Milton Wilson (26th-201-11/61.54m), Jabari Neal-Jackson (37th-193-0/58.82m); Long Jump: Dimitrije Novakovic (40th-23-3.50/7.10m); Pole Vault: Hunter Garretson (17-4.25/5.29m), Oscar Prieto (25th-16-6.50/5.04m), Robert Artrip (NH)

WEDNESDAY MEN'S PRELIMINARY RESULTS:
400 Meters: Charles Sanders (29th-47.07); 400-Meter Hurdles: Jimmy Harkelroad (26th-51.64)

* denotes career-best mark