Spartans Qualify Four for NCAA Outdoor Track Championships
May 22, 2014 | J.Crane
NCAA QUALIFIERS: Kebba Bojang, Nickolette McKenzie, Rick Valcin, and Evan Zurbuchen.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - The University of Dubuque Track and Field program qualified four student-athletes for the 2014 NCAA Division-III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. UD qualifiers are Kebba Bojang (Madison, Wis./Madison East), Nickolette McKenzie (Hoffman Estates, Ill./William Fremd), Rick Valcin (Catries, St. Lucia/Gros Islet), and Evan Zurbuchen (Hollandale, Wis./Madison West). Valcin (Pole Vault) and Zurbuchen (400m Hurdles - Prelims) will compete on Thursday, May 22nd. Bojang and McKenzie will each compete in the triple jump on Saturday, May 24th. Ohio Wesleyan University is the host institute for the 2014 championships.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Men's Entries Women's Entries LIVE RESULTS
Schedule for UD Student-Athletes |
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| Valcin | Pole Vault | Thursday, 12:00 pm |
| Zurbuchen | 400m Hurdles (Prelims) |
Thursday, 6:45 pm |
| Bojang | Triple Jump | Saturday, 12:00 pm |
| McKenzie | Triple Jump | Saturday, 3:00 pm |
Valcin enters the championships with the top qualifying height in the pole vault at 5.0m (16'-4.75"). The 2014 Iowa Conference Indoor and Outdoor Champion will be looking to improve on a runner-up performance at the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships. He cleared 16'-4.75" at the season opening Wartburg Select Meet and the prestigious Drake Relays. The pole vault will begin at 12:30 pm on Thursday.
A senior captain, Zurbuchen ran the 12th fastest 400m Hurdles time of the 2014 outdoor season at 53.13 seconds. He was at his best when it mattered most, running the 53.13 on his way to an IIAC Title at the 2014 IIAC Outdoor Championships. This will be the seniors first trip to the NCAA Championships in any event. The 400m hurdles - Prelims begin at 6:45 on Thursday.
The Spartans are 1 of 3 schools to qualify an individual in both the men's and women's triple jump competitions with Bojang and McKenzie representing UD. Bojang enters tied for 16th in D-III with a top jump of 14.47m (47'-5.75"), recorded at the UW-La Crosse NCAA Qualifier. McKenzie posted her qualifying distance at the IIAC Championships by jumping 11.70m (38'-4.75") which ranks 20th in D-III. Both Spartan triple jumpers are making their first appearance in the NCAA Championships. The men's triple jump starts at 12:00 pm on Saturday with the women's triple jump to follow at 3:00 pm.
All four Spartans qualifiers were individual champions at the 2014 Iowa Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
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