The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL Bahamian student athletes, with their performances at regional meets over the weekend, added their names to the list of qualifiers for the upcoming NCAA Division One Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

At the East Prelims in Greensboro, North Carolina, and at the West Prelims in Austin, Texas over the weekend, the top 12 finishers in either in the quarterfinal or semifinal rounds (depending on the event) advanced.

The NCAA championships is scheduled for June 5-9 at Oregon University’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

At the East Prelims, freshman quartermiler Shaunae Miller continued her stellar season and has now earned the the opportunity to chase the outdoor title after winning the 2013 NCAA indoor crown in her signature event.

The University of Georgia Bulldog recorded the NCAA’s second fastest time this season with a 51.72s, easily topping the remainder of her field by a full second.

Teammate Tynia Gaither qualified for Euguene in the 200m with a time of 23.51s.

The sophomore sprinter just narrowly missed an opportunity to qualify for both events.

Also in the East Prelims, Clemson sprinter Warren Fraser advanced to the Outdoor Championships for the third time in his collegiate career.

With each surpassing sub 10.30s-times, Fraser was one of three sprinters for Tigers to qualify for the event, alongise Tevin Hester and Reggie Lewis.

Fraser also earned a berth to the Outdoor Championships in the 4x100m relay when he teamed with Hester, Lewis and Brunson Miller to finish with a time of 39.92s in their heat.

At the West Prelims there was an active presence in the field with three jumpers reaching the qualification standard, including a pair of Arkansas Razorbacks.

Sophomore Tamara Myers peaked at the right time with a personal best and seventh-place finish in the opening round of the triple jump.

Her sixth-round jump of 13.04m (42’ 9.5”), took her from 11th place to seventh place in the overall standings and with the jump she earned her first trip to the Outdoor finale.

Myers will be the Razorbacks’ first triple jumper at the national meet since the 2010 season.

Teammate Raymond Higgs also qualified in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.78m (25’ 6.25”).

Cameron Parker of Texas Christian University reached the Outdoor championships for a second consecutive year.

The Longhorns senior finished fourth in the men’s triple jump with a leap of 15.98m (54’ 5.25”).

On the track, Oral Roberts University senior Jeffrey Gibson overcame a rain soaked track to dominate the men’s 400m hurdles.

Gibson finished well ahead of the field, and surpassed his own school record in the event. His time of 49.80s was the fastest qualifying time in both regions and assured himself of the top lane placement at the Outdoor Championships.