FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sophomore Arthur Petersen punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships on Wednesday afternoon as he highlights a strong first day at John McDowell Field for the UT Arlington track and field team.

Petersen will return to Eugene for the second straight season after finishing 11th a season ago with a throw of 69.69m (228-7) and earned All-American honors.

He opened Wednesday up with a throw of 70.22 (230-4) to jump into the top three almost immediately. He followed that up with his best throw of the day at 70.34 (230-9), which firmly placed him in sixth place.

Petersen will foul on his final throw, but it was more than enough to return to the national stage.

Junior Joel Bengtsson earned a spot in Friday's quarterfinal run as he finished second in his heat in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.78. It was the 17th fastest time of the day, but Bengtsson was in complete control to earn the automatic qualifier.

Additionally, senior Lucas Van Klaveren placed fourth in his heat in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 51.44. Despite not finishing in the top three for the automatic qualifier into Friday, Van Klaveren still earned a spot in Friday's race with a top six time outside of automatic qualifiers.

Senior Bryson DeBerry had a monster jump of 7.58 (24-10½) but fell just short of advancing to Eugene, placing 16th in the long jump. However, DeBerry will return to his top event as he competes in the high jump on Friday and looks to return to Eugene for the second straight year.

The women will take center stage on Thursday as they get rolling at 2 p.m. with field followed by a 6 p.m. start on the track side.
 

The following Mavericks will be competing from May 25-28:

Wednesday, May 25

• 2 PM: Arthur Petersen – Men's Javelin (First Round) | 70.34 (230-9) (6th – Qualified for Eugene)
• 6 PM: Joel Bengtsson – Men's 110m Hurdles (First Round) | 13.78 (17th – Qualified for Quarterfinals)
• 6 PM: Bryson DeBerry – Men's Long Jump (First Round) | 7.58 (24-10½) (16th)
• 8:20 PM: Lucas Van Klaveren – Men's 400m Hurdles (First Round) | 51.44 (20th – Qualified for Quarterfinals)

Thursday, May 26

• 2 PM: Liv Cantby – Women's Javelin (First Round)
• 6 PM: Jade Bontke – Women's Long Jump (First Round)
• 7 PM: Iyana Gray, Tatyana Terrell, Adeyemi Talabi  – Women's 100m (First Round)
• 7:25 PM: Tatyana Terrell  – Women's 400m (First Round)
• 8:20 PM: Shelby West, Jade Bontke – Women's 400m Hurdles (First Round)
• 8:45 PM: Iyana Gray, Tatyana Terrell, Adeyemi Talabi  – Women's 200m (First Round)

Friday, May 27

• 2:30 PM: Bryson DeBerry – Men's High Jump (First Round)
• 6 PM: Marvin Walford – Men's Triple Jump (First Round)
• 6:15 PM : Joel Bengtsson – Men's 110m Hurdles (Quarterfinals)
• 7:25 PM: Lucas Van Klaveren – Men's 400m Hurdles (Quarterfinals)

Saturday, May 28

• 2:30 PM: Jade Bontke – Women's High Jump (First Round)
• 5 PM: Iyana Gray, Tatyana Terrell, Adeyemi Talabi, Vanessa Ugorji  – Women's 4x100 (Quarterfinals)
• 6:35 PM – Women's 100m (Quarterfinals)
• 6:50 PM – Women's 400m (Quarterfinals)
• 7:25 PM – Women's 400m Hurdles (Quarterfinals)
• 7:50 PM – Women's 200m (Quarterfinals)
• 8:45 PM: Jade Bontke, Shelby West, Tatyana Terrell, Vanessa Ugorji – Women's 4x400 (Quarterfinals)

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