Hokie ClubBLOOMINGTON, Ind. – On the final day of the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds, Hokies track & field punched one final ticket to Hayward Field after an incredible four days of competition.
Securing her second straight qualification to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Essence Henderson had clinched her spot after two rounds before unleashing a massive throw in the discus on her third attempt. Henderson heaved the implement 58.83m (193' 0") in the last throw of the competition to finish as the No. 1 overall qualifier and shatter her own school record. Henderson's mark ranks as the No. 6 throw in the NCAA this season as she looks to challenge for the title in Oregon.
In Tech's other two events of Saturday, Chase Kappeler and Hailey Huston Myles both capped excellent seasons for the Hokies. Kappeler's breakout year ended just short of advancing to Eugene in the 3,000m steeplechase, as Kappeler recovered from an early stumble in the race and fought back through the pack at Indiana's Billy Hayes Track. In the triple jump, Huston Myles delivered a wind-legal personal best as she leaped 12.74m (41' 9.75"). The graduate transfer closed out her career having left her mark on both the indoor and outdoor triple jump top lists for the Hokies.
With the East Prelims now complete, Tech track & field moves its attention to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, set to run June 8-11 at the historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. With 12 athletes ready to compete across the Hokies' nine entries, the national finals look to be a thrill across the board.
WOMEN'S ENTRIES
Rachel Baxter (Pole Vault)
Julia Fixsen (Pole Vault)
Essence Henderson (Discus)
Sara Killinen (Hammer)
MEN'S ENTRIES
Khalil Bedoui (Hammer)
Chauncey Chambers (Triple Jump)
Ben Fleming (3,000m Steeplechase)
Ben Nibbelink (3,000m Steeplechase)
4x100m Relay (Cole Beck, Kennedy Harrison, Kahleje "KJ" Tillmon, Torrence Walker)
Gallery: (5-28-2022) T&F: 2022 NCAA East Preliminary Rounds Day 4