JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –The Alabama track and field men’s program saw nine student-athletes, across six events, punch their ticket to the NCAA National Championships, as the Crimson Tide’s entire 4×400-meter relay contingent advanced in multiple events. The third day of the NCAA East Prelims served as the conclusion of the men’s action competition at North Florida’s Hodges Stadium.
In Alabama’s opening event of the day, Alan de Falchi earned his qualifying spot after finishing fifth in the discus (57.59m | 188-11). The thrower used his third and final attempt to secure his place at Nationals.
On the track, Antonio Crisco, Jekovan Rhetta, Quincy Scott and Matthew Weaver solidified their place in Austin, Texas, behind a 39.98-performance in the 4×100-meter relay. Khaleb McRae would follow suit with a qualifying time of his own in the 400-meter final after clocking 46.32 to finish in the top three of his heat.
Later in the evening, 400-meter hurdle duo Corde Long and Chris Robinson clocked the fastest two times in the East Region in the event final to become the fourth pair of Crimson Tide athletes to qualify for Nationals in the same event (Chelsea Igberase/Cherisse Murray: women’s shot put; Taylor Gorum/Samantha Kunza: women’s hammer; Mercy Chelangat/Hilda Olemomoi: women’s 10,000m).
In the very next event, Tarsis Orogot advanced to Austin, Texas, after he finished in the top three of his 200-meter heat. Competing in his signature head band and crazy socks, the Ugandan clocked UA’s fourth-fastest time (20.08) in program history to secure his place at Nationals.
A short while after advancing in individual events, Long, McRae, Orogot and Robinson hit the track again, this time for the 4×400-meter relay. The squad not only won their heat (3:06.80), but secured yet another ticket to the NCAA National Championships in the final event of the men’s East Region preliminary competition.
Crimson Tide Top Finishes
- Alan de Falchi (57.59m | 188-11) became Alabama’s seventh field athlete to advance to the National Championships following a fifth-place finish in the men’s discus
- The Tide’s 4×100-meter relay squad (Antonio Crisco, Jekovan Rhetta, Quincy Scott, Matthew Weaver) secured their trip to Austin, Texas, by clocking 39.98 to finish 12th
- Khaleb McRae secured his ticket to Nationals after finishing second in his heat (fifth…
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