JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—
Obiora Okeke punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday afternoon at the NCAA East Regionals hosted by the University of North Florida.
Okeke needed a top-12 finish in his event to qualify for a spot in the finals in Eugene, Oregon. He did so in the first round of the shot put, finishing in fourth place overall. After fouls on both his first two throws, Okeke clutched up on his third and final throw with an impressive mark of 19.52m (64-1) to punch his ticket.
This will be Okeke's second straight appearance at the NCAA Championships. Last year, he was named and Honroable Mention All-American after finishing 21st in the country in the discus with a mark of 51.15m.
Rory Clare had a great performance on the women's side, advancing to the regional finals in the 1500m on Saturday with a top finish in Thursday's prelims. Ultimately, she finished 21st with a time of 4:15.82, narrowly missing out on a championship berth.
In addition,
Madison Williams fared well, finished 21st in the long jump with a mark of 5.99m.
Lucy Henkel placed 29th in the 800m with a time of 2:04.72.
Matt Gatune clocked in at 3:46.45 in the 1500m, finishing 43rd.
In his other two events, Okeke finished 41st and 44th in the discus and hammer, respectively.
Parker Kim ranked 42nd in the hammer with a mark of 59.25m.
The results for the entire weekend can be found
HERE.
Okeke will advance to compete in the finals of the shot put at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The finals of the shot put will be held at 9:10 p.m. eastern time on Wednesday, June 11.
COLUMBIA NCAA EASTERN REGIONAL RESULTS
Women
800m: Lucy Henkel (29th - 2:04.72)
1500m: Rory Clare (21st - 4:15.82)
Long Jump: Madison Williams (21st - 5.99m)
Men
1500m: Matt Gatune (43rd - 3:47.45)
Hammer: Obiora Okeke (44th - 58.82m)
Hammer: Parker Kim (42nd - 59.25m)
Shot Put: Obiora Okeke (4th -19.52m) TICKET PUNCHED!!
Discus: Obiora Okeke (41st - 48.86m)
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