The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Drouin and Lewis Qualify for NCAA East Preliminary
5/16/2019 4:34:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
BIRMINGHAM – The 2018-19 season will continue for two members of the UAB track and field team as Emily Drouin and Marielle Lewis have both qualified for the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Prelims East Division.
The meet is set to run May 23-25 in Jacksonville, Fla., with Jacksonville University serving as the host. The NCAA Championship is set for June 5-8 in Austin, Texas on the campus of the University of Texas, joining with the top finishers from the West Division.
"What a tremendous accomplishment for Emily and Marielle to qualify for the NCAA meet," head coach Kurt Thomas. "Both ladies have earned this and we are excited for them to go and race against the rest of the NCAA's best."
Drouin is set to run the steeplechase after placing in the second in the event at the Conference USA Championships. The senior set the school record with a 10:27.76 time, surpassing her previous record set earlier this season at the Raleigh Relays.
At the NCAA Prelims there will be three heats with 16 runners in each. The top three from each steeplechase heat plus the three fastest times, totaling 12 runners, will advance to the NCAA Championship.
"Emily has been running at a high level and raced to qualify for the 3000m steeplechase back in March," Lewis said. "She has been on track to do this all year and it is paying off. She will be in a great position to race to qualify for the NCAA finals. She has had a tremendous career for us and this is her time to shine."
Lewis will run in the 400m hurdles after taking home bronze at the C-USA Championship with a personal best time of 59.73. Additionally, that time was the 40th fastest in the NCAA East Region and fifth best in school history.
Lewis will be one of 48 runners in the East Region that will feature six heats with eight runners. The top 24 runners from Thursday will advance to Saturday's race, before the top-12 from that event will move onto Austin.
"Marielle raced so well to earn bronze at the C-USA meet and drop a high second PR and qualify for the NCAA meet," Thomas said. "She is executing the 400m hurdles really well at this time of the year, so our goal is to execute and duplicate that same race again in Jacksonville. If she can do that she will have a good chance to move onto the quarterfinals."
For more information on the UAB track and field team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_TF_XC) or on Instagram (UAB_TF_XC).
The meet is set to run May 23-25 in Jacksonville, Fla., with Jacksonville University serving as the host. The NCAA Championship is set for June 5-8 in Austin, Texas on the campus of the University of Texas, joining with the top finishers from the West Division.
"What a tremendous accomplishment for Emily and Marielle to qualify for the NCAA meet," head coach Kurt Thomas. "Both ladies have earned this and we are excited for them to go and race against the rest of the NCAA's best."
Drouin is set to run the steeplechase after placing in the second in the event at the Conference USA Championships. The senior set the school record with a 10:27.76 time, surpassing her previous record set earlier this season at the Raleigh Relays.
At the NCAA Prelims there will be three heats with 16 runners in each. The top three from each steeplechase heat plus the three fastest times, totaling 12 runners, will advance to the NCAA Championship.
"Emily has been running at a high level and raced to qualify for the 3000m steeplechase back in March," Lewis said. "She has been on track to do this all year and it is paying off. She will be in a great position to race to qualify for the NCAA finals. She has had a tremendous career for us and this is her time to shine."
Lewis will run in the 400m hurdles after taking home bronze at the C-USA Championship with a personal best time of 59.73. Additionally, that time was the 40th fastest in the NCAA East Region and fifth best in school history.
Lewis will be one of 48 runners in the East Region that will feature six heats with eight runners. The top 24 runners from Thursday will advance to Saturday's race, before the top-12 from that event will move onto Austin.
"Marielle raced so well to earn bronze at the C-USA meet and drop a high second PR and qualify for the NCAA meet," Thomas said. "She is executing the 400m hurdles really well at this time of the year, so our goal is to execute and duplicate that same race again in Jacksonville. If she can do that she will have a good chance to move onto the quarterfinals."
For more information on the UAB track and field team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_TF_XC) or on Instagram (UAB_TF_XC).
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Track & Field
/ Women's Track & Field
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