AUSTIN, Texas – University of Hawai'i high jumper Amber Kaufman qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships after tying for first place at the NCAA West Preliminary Round Saturday at the University of Texas' Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium.

 

Kaufman and five others tied for first with a jump of 5-11.25 (1.81m) based on number of misses. The event was called off when 12 athletes already qualified for nationals and before the 11 remaining jumpers could attempt the next height. The top 12 finishers at the prelims automatically advance to next month's national championships in Eugene, Ore.

 

The San Jose, Calif., native qualified for her third NCAA Outdoor Championship and second national championship this season after finishing runner-up at the NCAA Indoor Championship in March. Last season, Kaufman won bronze at outdoor nationals.

 

Also competing in the high jump for the Rainbow Wahine were sophomore Sarah Saddleton and freshman Samantha Balentine. Saddleton tied for 14^th with a jump of 5-8.5 (1.74m) and Balentine tied for 28^th with a mark of 5-6.5 (1.69m).

 

Sophomore Emma MacCorquodale placed 41^st in the hammer throw after a heave of 171-7 (52.30m)

 

On Friday, sophomore TeRina Keenan, ranked 13^th nationally in the discus, missed her opportunity to qualify for nationals after finishing 19^th with a throw of 157-8 (48.07m). Sophomore Madara Apine placed 33^rd in the triple jump with a mark of 39-10 (12.14m).

 

In the javelin competition held on Thursday, sophomore Lauren Cutler placed 27^th with a seasonal-best throw of 143-7 (43.76m) while junior Karen Guravska fouled on each of her three attempts.

 

Also on Thursday, senior Thalia Amanakis finished the 400-meter hurdles event in a time of 1:04.25.

 

The Rainbow Wahine qualified nine athletes to the NCAA West Prelims, which tied their previous high for regional qualifiers. The NCAA Outdoor Championships is June 9-12 at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field.