Wake Forest University
NCAA East Preliminary Track & Field Championships
Demon Deacons Wrap Up NCAA East Prelims
5/27/2023 9:35:00 PM | Track and Field
The NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will take place June 7-10 in Austin, Texas.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Wake Forest women's track & field team concluded the 2023 NCAA East Preliminary Outdoor Track & Field Championships Saturday at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
In the first event of the day, graduate student Leia Braunagel wrapped up her season in the women's discus, as she threw 50.03m in windy conditions to finish 23rd in the East. Graduate student Amanda Schaare (48.72m) and sophomore Ashlyn Giles (44.61m) also concluded a successful year in the event.
Senior Emma Soderstrom just missed out on a trip to Austin in the high jump after clearing 1.77m on her third attempt.
In the distance events, graduate student Elise Wright put in a strong performance in the women's 3000m steeplechase, clocking 10:16.92 and finishing seventh in Heat 2 with the 17th fastest overall time. Additionally, Carolien Millenaar closed out the weekend for the Deacs, as the graduate student posted 16:28.70 in the women's 5000m semifinals.
Wake Forest Results
- Men's 5000m Semifinals
- 6) Zach Facioni, 13:54.15 (Advanced to Finals)
- 16) Luke Tewalt, 14:04.79 (Advanced to Finals)
- Women's High Jump
- 15) Emma Soderstrom, 1.77m
- Women's Shot Put
- 14) Ashlyn Giles, 16.59
- X) Amanda Schaare
- Women's 3000m Steeplechase Semifinals
- 17) Elise Wright, 10:16.92
- Women's 10,000m Semifinal
- 19) Carolien Millenaar, 34:27.16
- 27) Caroline Garrett, 34:34.99
- Men's Discus
- 21) Andrew White, 54.11m
- Women's Discus
- 23) Leia Braunagel 50.03m
- 28) Amanda Schaare, 48.72m
- 43) Ashlyn Giles 44.61m
- Men's Hammer
- 23) Jack Pihlkar, 62.48m
- X) Jacob Goldberg
- Men's 800m Quarterfinals
- 24) Rynard Swanepoel, 1:54.55
- Women's 5000m Semifinals
- 34) Carolien Millenaar, 16:28.70
- Women's Hammer
- 47) Sophie Perez Gonzalez, 52.93m
- Men's 800m First Round
- 25) Rynard Swanepoel, 1:49.87
- 45) Dillon Aryeh, 1:53.00
- Women's 1500m First Round
- 35) Lydia van Dijk, 4:26.33
- Men's 1500m First Round
- 41) Paul Specht, 3:49.77
- 44) Luke Tewalt, 3:51.43
From Wednesday
Swanepoel led the Deacs, finishing third in Heat 3 of the 800 with a time of 1:49.87 to advance to the quarterfinals.
In the final events of their collegiate careers, graduate students Dillon Aryeh (1:53.00) and Jack Pihlkar (62.48m) both recorded strong marks in the 800 and the hammer throw, respectively.
From Thursday
Giles missed out on qualifying for Austin by just 0.01cm, as she tossed 16.59m in the women's shot put.
In the first distance event of the evening, graduate student Lydia van Dijk recorded a solid performance in the women's 1500m.
Sophie Perez Gonzalez completed a very successful freshman campaign in the women's hammer. The Guatemala City native will head into year two with the Wake Forest and Guatemalan record in the hammer (59.85m).
Millenaar (34:27.16) and senior Caroline Garrett (34:34.99) wrapped up the final event of day two in the women's 10,000m, finishing in 19th and 27th, respectively.
From Friday
Graduate student Zach Facioni (13:54.15) and junior Luke Tewalt (14:04.79) became the first two Demon Deacons to qualify for Austin as the duo advanced to the men's 5000m final. Facioni qualified with the sixth-fastest overall time, while Tewalt finished third in his heat.
Earlier in the day, graduate student Andrew White concluded a historic career as he launched 54.11m in the men's discus and finished 21st overall in the East.
Additionally, Rynard Swanepoel wrapped up a solid sophomore campaign in the men's 800m quarterfinals.
From the Staff
"This meet was not our best performance of the year, for sure. I do feel like we have high character young men and women that have strong effort, but it was not our week. Zach (Facioni) and Luke (Tewalt) will race the 5,000m in Austin and we are excited to get after it!" - director of track & field and cross country John Hayes
"It's a privilege to compete against the best track and field athletes in the region. I'm proud of the fight I saw with many of our athletes beating their ranking coming into the meet. I can't wait to watch Luke (Tewalt) and Zach (Facioni) represent Wake Forest in Austin in two weeks!" - associate head coach Ashley Bastron
"Every setback is an opportunity for growth and learning. We must analyze the performance, identify areas for improvement, and help our athletes bounce back stronger than ever. Remember, success is not solely defined by medals but by the resilience and character we instill in our athletes through both triumphs and defeats." - associate head coach Collin Post
"Today simply wasn't the day it needed to be. Regardless of the outcome, I am still proud of the way we competed and of the fact that we were prepared and ready to the best of our abilities." - assistant coach Holly Hankenson
"We had some ups and downs this week but Zach (Facioni) and Luke (Tewalt) had great performances on Friday night. Luke showed some real heart by bouncing back after his fall in the 1500 and Zach was as reliable as ever as a national caliber athlete." - assistant coach Brandon Hazouri
Up Next
Luke Tewalt and Zach Facioni will now look ahead to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin, Texas. The event will last from Wednesday, June 7 to Saturday, June 10 at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Follow The Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
