May brought in fast time from across nation, Princeton to Stanford, and a few early conference meets. The majority of the conference meets will take place this upcoming weekend.  Many athletes are looking for those automatic berths to the DII Track and Field champions to be held at the Irwin Belk Complex in Charlotte, North Carolina (only 22 more days). This past weekend quite a few added their names to that list and Queen’s Tanya Zeferjahn almost added her name to the records books with a 10k time of 33:09.47 at the Payton Jordan Invitational. As usual, I encourage you to add any automatic qualifying marks that I might have overlooked (please be respectful). Links are included.

Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational- The best of the distance runner were out to show the US what they were made of. Adams State’s Andrew Graham delivered the second fastest 800 time in DII by winning section 4 of the 800 meters with a time of 1:49.50. Chico State’s Michael Wickman improved his 1500 meter mark to 3:45.34. Queen’s Michael Crouch opened his season in the 5000 meters with a time of 13:53.37. Adams State’s Luke Cragg ran a 29:10.13 in section 2 of the 10k. His teammate, Reuben Mwei was the first collegiate in the 3k steeplechase in time of 8:34.42. Chico’s Beau Rogers ran a 9:00.38 in the other heat of the 3k steeplechase.  

On the women’s side, DII 10,000 meter defending champion Tanya Zeferjahn was the first collegiate finisher in the women’s 10,000 meters with a time of 33:09.47. Western Washington’s Sarah Porter finished 15^th in the time of 33:36.83. Also automatically qualifying were Adams State’s Kristen McGlynn (34:37.21) and Queen’s Meagan Nedlo (34:38.49).  Adams State’s Alicia Nelson continues to lead the DII steeplechasers with a time of 10:20.92.  Her teammate, Cassie Mitchell (10:37.77) and Humbodlt State’s Megan Rolland (10:29.18) also automatically qualified.

Princeton Elite Meet- Shippensburg’s women’s team continues to impress. Amanda Radabaugh added her name to the short list of automatic qualifying times in the 800 meters with a winning time of 2:09.91. The duo of Mary Dell (4:27.25) and Abigail Huber (4:28.18) finished second and third for a pair of automatic qualifying times in the 1500 meters.

Northeast 10-The Southern Connecticut State University men’s and women’s outdoor track & field teams took top honors at the Northeast-10 Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The men won their eighth straight title, while the women recorded their third title in four years. On the men’s side, Southern Connecticut collected 198 points to win this year’s championship and were followed closely by American International College with 171 points.  Stonehill College came in third place with 114 points.On the women’s side, Southern Connecticut collected 227.50 points. UMass Lowell, last year’s champion, followed with 168 points to finish second, while Stonehill collected 141 points to finish third. 

WVIAC-West Virginia Wesleyan defeated runner-up Seton Hill on each side.  The women outscored Seton Hill 216-146 with Wheeling Jesuit finishing third at 131.  Wesleyan took the men's championship by a 238-136 margin.  Wheeling Jesuit was also third at 124.

Other marks- Abilene Christian’s Desmond Jackson ran a 10.34 at the Oliver Jackson Open in the men’s 100 meters.  St. Augustine’s Richard Boone ran a 20.94 in the men’s 200 meters at the Liberty University Twilight Qualifier.  His teammate Josh Scott bettered his mark in the 400 meters with a time of 45.99. While the Adams State’s distance crew was qualifying at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational, Indira Spence ran a 11.45 at the UNM Don Kirby Invitational in the women’s 100 meters.  In the women’s 400 hurdles, Indiana (Pa.)’s Maddy Outman ran a 1:00.15 at the Elliston Invitational.