USU may have a chance to get athlete into nationals
The Utah State indoor track team will have at least one athlete compete in the NCAA Championships, and head coach Gregg Gensel said he thinks more will qualify in the team’s next two meets.
To qualify, an athlete must meet a standard in any meet before the national championships – a certain time, distance or height, depending on the event.
Weight thrower James Parker is the only Aggie qualified for nationals so far this season. He hit the standard for the weight throw early in the season and said he hopes to qualify in the shot put as well – something he has never done.
Last year’s indoor team had four athletes qualify for the national meet, and Gensel said Dave Hoffman, Demario Franklin, Anthony Stewart, Maurice Jenkins, Mitch Zundel, Danielle Kot and Rebecca Thornley are all close to qualifying this season.
“We have a lot of people on the bubble close to hitting [the standard],” he said. “It depends on if they get in the right race or not.”
The national meet can include at least 254 athletes. If not enough athletes hit the standard, it is lowered until 254 athletes have qualified. But if more than 254 have qualified, the standard is raised.
Gensel said he’s optimistic about the regional meet, which will be held Friday and Saturday in Flagstaff, Ariz. Forty-six athletes have qualified to compete, giving them another chance to qualify for nationals.
“We’ll do really well,” Gensel said. “I’m looking forward to seeing them compete.”
If they don’t qualify this weekend, they can compete in the Last Chance Meet, March 1-3. Those who hit the standard will compete in the NCAA Championships, March 9-10 in Fayetteville, Ark.