Perez, Wilson Punch Tickets to NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Perez, Wilson Punch Tickets to NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

5/28/2026 11:04:00 PM | Track and Field

Junior Brooke Wilson claimed 11th place with a time of 33:18.61, while fellow junior Angelina Perez recorded a time of 33:19.56 to finish in 12th in the semifinal of the women’s 10,000 meters.

By: KJ Smith

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Wake Forest track and field team turned in a strong performance during the second day of competition at the NCAA East Region First Round, headlined by juniors Angelina Perez and Brooke Wilson qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday night at the UK Track and Field Complex.

Wilson led the way for the Deacs as she powered her way through the field over the final five laps to secure an 11th-place finish in the semifinal of the women's 10,000 meters, crossing the line in 33:18.61. Meanwhile, Perez finished right behind Wilson, clocking a time of 33:19.56 to secure 12th place and the final qualifying spot.

With the result, Perez and Wilson will be making their first career appearances at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Earlier in the evening, two Demon Deacons secured their spots in the quarterfinals of their respective events. Senior Elizabeth Whaley earned automatic qualification into the quarterfinals of the women's 1500 meters after placing third in her opening round heat with a time of 4:10.71. Later, freshman Natalia Issler clocked a time of 2:04.23 in the first round of the women's 800 meters to qualify on time.

Whaley and Issler will compete for a berth in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday afternoon, with Whaley set to compete at 5:15 p.m. and Issler slated for 7:05 p.m.

Elsewhere, sophomore Rosalind Gergely concluded her stellar season as she placed 27th in the women's javelin, registering a distance of 46.82 meters.

Notable Results
Women's 800m

Natalia Issler - 2:04.23

Women's 1500m

Elizabeth Whaley - 4:10.71

Women's 10,000m

Brooke Wilson - 33:18.61
Angelina Perez - 33:19.56

Women's Javelin

Rosalind Gergely - 46.82m

2026 Outdoor Track and Field Top-10 Marks in Program History

Men's 400m
- 7th - Ryan Harper (47.28)
Men's 800m
- 10th - Rocky Hansen (1:49.27)
Men's 1500m
- 1st - Rocky Hansen (3:35.75)
- 8th - Wes Shipsey (3:40.48)
Men's 3000m Steeplechase
- 5th - Max Cervi-Skinner (8:50.00)
Men's 5000m
- 4th - Aurelien Radja (13:29.86)
- 8th - Charlie Sprott (13:40.70)
- 10th - Bryce Gilmore (13:48.82)
Men's Javelin
- 5th - Nick Masterman (64.54m)
Women's 100m Hurdles
- 4th - Seren Rodgers (13.89)
Women's 800m
- 1st - Natalia Issler (2:02.28)
- 4th - Amy Weybrecht (2:05.69)
Women's 1500m
- 1st - Elizabeth Whaley (4:09.78)
- 10th - Natalia Issler (4:19.96)
Women's 3000m Steeplechase
- 4th - Victoria Rodriguez (10:09.14)
- 5th - Issy Goldstein (10:16.27)
Women's 5000m
- 2nd - Angelina Perez (15:32.20)
Women's 10,000m
- 1st - Angelina Perez (32:44.58)
- 9th - Mackenzie Hart (33:58.49)
Women's Discus
- 4th - Jazmine Thompson (50.48m)
Women's Heptathlon
- 2nd - Seren Rodgers (5,575 points)
Women's Javelin
- 3rd - Rosalind Gergely (52.99m)
Women's Long Jump
- 5th - Seren Rodgers (6.05m)
Women's Shot Put
- 4th - Casey Sullivan (15.73m)
- 8th - Jazmine Thompson (15.00m)

Next Up
Wake Forest continues competition at the NCAA East Region on Friday afternoon, with the first events scheduled for 1 p.m.

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