FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Five Mavs earned their tickets to Eugene and the NCAA Championships as they led the UT Arlington track & field team on the final day of the NCAA West Prelims on Saturday at John McDowell Field.

"Everyone competed like they belonged at this level all week," said Head Coach John Sauerhage. "I can't say enough about everyone's effort. Our guys competed at their normal high level and the women came here and went next level. We can't wait for Eugene."

Freshman Iyana Gray made massive waves all day as she broke three school records on the day in the 100 meter, 200 meter, and as a part of the 4x100 meter while earning two nods into nationals.

Gray, along with teammates Tatyana Terrell, Vanesaa Ugorji, and Adeyemi Talabi raced to a school record 44.36, a record they have been aiming for all season long, and finished 10th overall to punch their ticket on to Eugene.

But Gray was not done with her big day yet. 

In the ultra-competitive 100 meter dash, Gray just narrowly missed the cut for nationals, but still put together an absolutely blazing time at 11.15, rolling past the school record and earning a 14th place finish.

Her best run of the day may have come in the 200 meter dash that evening as Gray absolutely crushed the school record and become the first female in school history to go sub 23 second. She ran a blistering 22.78 to earn an 11th place finish and add another event to her itinerary in Eugene.

Also in action was Jade Bontke, who just narrowly missed the cut in the high jump, finishing at 1.76 (5-9¼) to place 13th, just one spot under the line. However, Bontke did earn her trip to Eugene via the heptathlon with a score of 5,692 points earlier this year.

In total, UTA is sending nine athletes to Eugene to compete in seven events at Hayward Field, a truly remarkable few days for the Mavericks.

The Mavs will focus on their preparations for Oregon and will compete in the NCAA Championships from June 8-11.
 

Wednesday, May 25

• 2 PM: Arthur Petersen – Men's Javelin (First Round) | 70.34m (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) | 7.58m (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) | 44.52 (146-1) (30th)
• 6 PM: Jade Bontke – Women's Long Jump (First Round) | 6.07m (19-11) (23rd)
• 7 PM: Iyana Gray, Tatyana Terrell, Adeyemi Talabi  – Women's 100m (First Round) | Gray 11.61 (27th – Qualified for Quarterfinals) | Talabi 11.78 (42nd) | Terrell 11.86 (43rd)
• 7:25 PM: Tatyana Terrell  – Women's 400m (First Round) | 54.50 (35th)
• 8:20 PM: Shelby West, Jade Bontke – Women's 400m Hurdles (First Round) | West 59.57 (31st) | Bontke 1:02.37 (47th)
• 8:45 PM: Iyana Gray, Tatyana Terrell, Adeyemi Talabi  – Women's 200m (First Round) | Gray 23.36 (16th – Qualified for Quarterfinals) | Terrell 23.92 (37th)

Friday, May 27

• 2:30 PM: Bryson DeBerry – Men's High Jump (First Round) | 2.15m (7-½) (8th – Qualified for Eugene)
• 6 PM: Marvin Walford – Men's Triple Jump (First Round) | 14.73m (48-4) (41st)
• 6:15 PM : Joel Bengtsson – Men's 110m Hurdles (Quarterfinals) | 13.65 (8th – Qualified for Eugene)
• 7:25 PM: Lucas Van Klaveren – Men's 400m Hurdles (Quarterfinals) | 51.84 (19th)

Saturday, May 28

• 2:30 PM: Jade Bontke – Women's High Jump (First Round) | 1.76m (5-9¼) (13th)
• 5 PM: Iyana Gray, Tatyana Terrell, Adeyemi Talabi, Vanessa Ugorji  – Women's 4x100 (Quarterfinals) | 44.36 (10th – Qualified for Eugene)
• 6:35 PM: Iyana Gray – Women's 100m (Quarterfinals) | 11.15 (14th)
• 7:50 PM: Iyana Gray – Women's 200m (Quarterfinals) | 22.78 (11th – Qualified for Eugene)

Jade Bontke and Lucas Van Klaveren have already punched their tickets to Eugene in the heptathlon (5,692) and decathlon (7,760).

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