Six CAA Student-Athletes Advance In NCAA East Region Meet
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 24, 2012) - Six CAA standouts
advanced in the 2012 NCAA Track and Field East Region meet on Thursday at the
University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. George Mason
led the league with three student-athletes qualifying for the next round.
Action on the men's side was highlighted by George Mason
junior David Verburg, who clocked a 45.78, the fastest time of the day in the
400 meters, to win his heat in the preliminaries and advance to Friday's
National Quarterfinal. Patriots' teammate Lavell Handy finished tied-fourth in the
long jump to qualify for the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa in two
weeks. The senior posted a jump of 7.63m.
William and Mary senior Brandon Heroux continued his comeback from injury,
qualifying in the javelin throw with a toss of 71.86m (235'9).
On the women's side, George Mason senior Cierra McGee moved
on to the quarterfinals in the 400m, with a time of 53.32, good enough for the
13th fastest time in the 48 woman field. VCU freshman Kiara Porter
continued her successful rookie campaign, also advancing in the 400m with a mark
of 53.63. William and Mary sophomore Elaina Balouris became the third Tribe
woman ever to qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the 10,000m run.
Balouris finished eighth to advance to the national finals in a time of
34:29.88.
The East Region preliminaries continue on Friday at 10:00
a.m. with the men's hammer throw. Tomorrow's track events begin at 5:00 p.m.
with the running of the men's 110-meter hurdles.