Teams earn six NCAA Regional Marks at War Eagle Invitational

AUBURN, Ala. - The Middle Tennessee track teams earned six NCAA Regional Qualifiers at the War Eagle Invitational in Auburn, Ala. this weekend.

Distance runner Festus Chemaoi set a Middle Tennessee record and earned an NCAA Regional mark of 1:49.48 in the 800 meters. Chemaoi edged alumni Jerry Singleton's 1969 time of 1:49.6. Festus placed second overall.

Senior Carl Morgan returned from injury to get his first two NCAA Regional Qualifiers this outdoor season. The Cayman Island native's marks of 25-01.25 (7.65m) in the long jump and 50-06.00 (15.39m) in the triple jump earned him a spot in the NCAA Midwest Regional Meet in Louisville, Ky. on May 29-30.

Head Coach Dean Hayes said, "It was great to have Carl back. He really performed well today.

The men's 4x100 meter relay team also earned an NCAA Regional mark of 40.22. The team placed fourth overall.

DeRay Sloss placed third in the 400m hurdles with a time of 53.11. Teammate Roscoe Payne placed fifth in 54.08.

For the women, Brittany Cox earned two NCAA Regional Marks in the shot put and discus. Her marks of 49-03.75 (15.65m) in the shot and 160-09 (49.01m) in the discus placed her second overall in both events. Cox's discus throw of 160-09 (49.01m) was a personal best.

Hayes said, "Overall it was a good meet. We had a handful of athletes earn NCAA Regional Marks and almost all had improved times."

The Blue Raiders will travel to Philadelphia next weekend for the Penn Relays. Results will be available on goblueraiders.com.

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