Thursday, May 26
Jacksonville, Fla.
TBA
Bowling Green State University
at
NCAA East Prelim
Photo by: BGSU Strategic Communications
Kayla Velasquez Makes NCAA Regional Debut
May 26, 2016 | Women's Track and Field
Jacksonville, Fla. – Competing at the NCAA Division I East Region Preliminary Round for the first time in her career, redshirt junior Kayla Velasquez placed 40th in the hammer throw with a throw of 174-feet-6. She entered the meet seeded 44th of the 48 competitors.
"Although Kayla has thrown further this year, she proved that she can compete on the big stage," BGSU Track and Field Coach Lou Snelling said. "The experience she gained today can be a great springboard for her senior season."
Velasquez was one of five competitors in the opening flight of 16 to post three legal throws. She opened with a toss of 174-2 before dipping to 169-10 on her second toss. Her final throw was her best of the day with a mark of 174-6.
In BGSU head coach Lou Snelling's five-year tenure at Bowling Green, the Falcons have competed in NCAA regional competition 14 times. Those student-athletes have now finished equal to or better than their seed 13 times. Saturday, Aliyah Gustafson (seeded No. 19) and Makenzie Wheat (seeded No. 27) will throw shot put. The top 12 competitors of the 48 in competition will advance to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Eugene, Ore.
For Velasquez, the meet concluded a strong season. After finishing 13th and ninth in the hammer throw at the MAC Championships in her first two years, she placed fifth this year with a personal best toss of 186-6. She won the Toledo Dual meet and placed second at the Jesse Owens Classic and the Toledo Invitational. Velasquez surpassed the MAC automatic qualifying distance of 175-8 six times during the year.
Gustafson and Wheat will compete in the shot put Saturday at 3:30 pm.
Fans can follow the team's trip to NCAA Regionals on Snapchat at "BGAthletics" as well as on Twitter at @BG_XCTrack and @BGAthletics.
"Although Kayla has thrown further this year, she proved that she can compete on the big stage," BGSU Track and Field Coach Lou Snelling said. "The experience she gained today can be a great springboard for her senior season."
Velasquez was one of five competitors in the opening flight of 16 to post three legal throws. She opened with a toss of 174-2 before dipping to 169-10 on her second toss. Her final throw was her best of the day with a mark of 174-6.
In BGSU head coach Lou Snelling's five-year tenure at Bowling Green, the Falcons have competed in NCAA regional competition 14 times. Those student-athletes have now finished equal to or better than their seed 13 times. Saturday, Aliyah Gustafson (seeded No. 19) and Makenzie Wheat (seeded No. 27) will throw shot put. The top 12 competitors of the 48 in competition will advance to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Eugene, Ore.
For Velasquez, the meet concluded a strong season. After finishing 13th and ninth in the hammer throw at the MAC Championships in her first two years, she placed fifth this year with a personal best toss of 186-6. She won the Toledo Dual meet and placed second at the Jesse Owens Classic and the Toledo Invitational. Velasquez surpassed the MAC automatic qualifying distance of 175-8 six times during the year.
Gustafson and Wheat will compete in the shot put Saturday at 3:30 pm.
Fans can follow the team's trip to NCAA Regionals on Snapchat at "BGAthletics" as well as on Twitter at @BG_XCTrack and @BGAthletics.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
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/ Women's Track and Field
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