This year, the NCAA changed the regional format from four sites to two, the west prelims at the University of Texas and east prelims at North Carolina A&T. The top 48 athletes per event qualify for each of the prelims. From there, the top 12 finishers at each prelim qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships next month.

 

Nine UH athletes qualified for the prelims, including three high jumpers - Amber Kaufman, Sarah Saddleton, and Samantha Balentine. Also qualifying were a pair of javelin throwers - Karen Guravska and Lauren Cutler as well as Madara Apine (triple jump), Thalia Amanakis (400-meter hurdles), TeRina Keenan (discus), and Emma MacCorquodale (hammer).

 

What: NCAA West Preliminary Round Championships

When: Thursday, May 27 through Saturday, May 29

Where: Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium; Austin, Texas
Live Streaming: Available at ncaasports.com

 

UH at the NCAA West Regionals: UH will be competing at the NCAA West Regional for the eighth time. UH's highest finish was 11th at last year's meet after accumulating 19 team points. Amber Kaufman became the first UH athlete to win an event at the regional meet, capturing the high jump title. In addition, Annett Wichmann placed third in the javelin and Emily Sheppard tied for fifth in the high jump. Last year, the Rainbow Wahine sent eighth athletes to the West Regional. UH has sent at least three athletes to the regionals every year. 

 

West Rankings: The following is where UH's West Prelims qualifiers rank among the declared athletes: Thalia Amanakis (20th, 400mH), Amber Kaufman (1st, High Jump), Sarah Saddleton (8th, High Jump), Samantha Balentine (35th, High Jump), Madara Apine (27th, Triple Jump), TeRina Keenan (6th, Discus), Emma MacCorquodale (39th, Hammer), Karen Guravska (34th, Javelin), and Lauren Cutler (47th, Javelin).