JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-Senior Catherine White (Roanoke, Va.) won the women’s 10,000 meters as the Virginia track and field team completed action at the first day of the NCAA East Preliminaries in Jacksonville, Fla., on Thursday (May 24).

White finished in a time of 34:18.82 in the final event on a hot, Florida day. She ran in the top 10 the whole race, moving up to the top three with just over 3,000 meters remaining. After taking the lead before the final lap, White ran away along the backstretch to win by a few steps.

“I’m super stoked to be going back to nationals because I haven’t been in a long time,” White said. “It’s been a goal of mine to get back, so I’m excited and will be ready to go.”

This race was more about qualifying, so I came in ready for any scenario,” White continued. “Luckily, the weather had cooled off some with a 9:40 (p.m.) start, but it was still hot for everyone out there. It felt good to go out there and get the win.”

Junior Sean Keveren (Brentwood, Tenn.) finished sixth in the men’s 10,000 meters in a time of 30:13.50 to also qualify for the NCAA finals in Iowa. He spent the majority of the race near the lead pack and when the top group broke off, Keveren stayed with the leaders and qualified comfortably.

“It was really hot out there, but I was able to cover the moves and I’m so excited to make the NCAA finals,” Keveren said. “That race hurt a lot, but it was also so much fun.”

Senior Lance Roller (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) was the top qualifier in the men’s 800 meters with a time of 1:48.69. He will compete in the quarterfinal Friday (May 25) at 7 p.m.

Junior Brett Johnson (Ocean City, N.J.) moved on to the quarterfinals in the 1,500 meters automatically after placing fourth in his heat in a time of 3:47.31. Joining him will be classmate Patrick Todd (Highland Park, Texas), who finished in 3:48.67 and qualified on time.

In the women’s 1,500m, junior Morgane Gay (Bethesda, Md.) qualified for the quarters with a fourth-place finish in her heat in a time of 4:21.89. The quarterfinals of the 1,500s are Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Freshman Jordan Lavender (Nashville, Tenn.) placed 16th in the women’s 400 meters and will compete in the quarterfinals tomorrow at 6:15 p.m.

Senior Andy Fahringer (Whitehall, Pa.) placed 21st in the men’s javelin with a throw of 63.47m (209′ 1″), while sophomore Abbey Karin (Byfield, Mass.) placed 27th in the women’s javelin with a mark of 41.25m (135′ 4″).

Junior Taylor Gilland (Chapel Hill, N.C.) placed 29th in the 1,500m with a time of 3:51.01, while freshman Nick Vena (Morristown, N.J.) finished 44th in the men’s discus with a throw of 42.42m (139′ 2″).

In the men’s 400-meter hurdles, freshman Devin Brewer (Dumfries, Va.) placed 31st in a time of 53.38. Sophomore Anthony Kostelac (Charlottesville, Va.) 28th in the 800 in 1:51.08.

The action continues Friday at 10 a.m.