Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
NCAA East Region Preliminaries
Deacs Open Competition at East Prelim
5/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeTrack)
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Three Demon Deacons qualified for their respective quarterfinals as the Wake Forest track and field programs opened competition at the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round.
Robert Heppenstall, Kathryn Lazarchick and Jen Esposito all qualified on the track for the next round of competition.
Heppenstall finished second in his 800m heat with a time of 1:49.45 to automatically qualify for the quarterfinal. The top three performers in each heat moved on along with the next six best times. Heppenstall will race again on Friday at 6:45 p.m., where the top-12 athletes will punch their tickets to the National Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Lazarchick automatically qualified for the 1500m quarterfinal after finishing fifth in her heat. For the 1500m, the top five competitors in each heat plus the next four best times moved on to the next round. The senior ran a time of 4:24.13 on Thursday and will compete for a spot at Eugene on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Esposito took fifth in her 400m hurdles heat and qualified for a spot in the Friday quarterfinal based on her 59.83 time. For the 400m hurdles, the top three from each heat plus the next six best times qualified for the next round. Esposito will race for her ticket to the National Championships on Friday at 7 p.m.
After a two-hour rain delay, Elijah Shalaway kicked off competition for the Demon Deacons Thursday afternoon in the men's javelin. Shalaway finished seventh in his flight and 37th overall with a best mark of 56.95m (186' 10").
Also in the field, Charlie Ionata and Kyle Johnson finished 26th and 31st, respectfully, in the hammer throw. Ionata had a best mark of 62.99m (206' 8") while Johnson threw 60.91m (199' 10").
Coming up on Friday, Heppenstall will race in the 800m quarterfinal at 6:45 p.m., Esposito will compete in the 400m hurdles quarterfinal at 7 p.m. and Ellie Abrahamson will run in the 3000m steeplechase, the first of two events for Abrahamson, at 8:20 p.m.
On Saturday, Max Adams will compete in the men's discus at 2 p.m., Lazarchick will compete for her ticket to the National Championships in the 1500m at 6:30 p.m. and Abrahamson will run in the 5000m at 8:05 p.m.
Results
Men's 800m
11Q. Robert Heppenstall, 1:49.45
Men's Hammer Throw
26. Charlie Ionata, 62.99m (206' 8")
31. Kyle Johnson, 60.91m (199' 10")
Men's Javelin
37. Elijah Shalaway, 56.95m (186' 10")
Women's 1500m
23Q. Kathryn Lazarchick, 4:24.13
Women's 400m Hurdles
23q. Jen Esposito, 59.83
Players Mentioned
