McKee Qualifies in Triple Jump at NCAA East Prelims
May 26, 2018
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TAMPA, Fla.-Junior Kelly McKee (Lenexa, Kan.) highlighted the final day of competition for the Virginia women’s track and field team at the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds at the USF Track and Field Stadium.
McKee advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the first time in her career, after capturing a top-12 finish in the triple jump. She posted a jump of 13.03m (42’9″) with her third and final attempt to move into eighth place and secure a spot at the national meet.
McKee joins redshirt junior Bridget Guy (Greensburg, Pa.) and sophomore Andrenette Knight (Morant Bay, Jamaica), who qualified earlier in the week for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Guy was one of 12 competitors to clear a height of 4.18m (13’8.5), punching her first NCAA Outdoor Championship ticket. She is also the first UVA female to advance from the NCAA East Prelims in the pole vault. Knight qualified for the second time of her career and the first time in a Cavalier uniform in the 400m hurdles. She ran a career-best time of 56.94, posting the third-fastest time in school history.
“I’m really proud of the trio that is moving on to Eugene, the most we’ve had qualify in six years,” director of track and field Bryan Fetzer said. “Each has an opportunity to put points on the board. Although the season is over, our women have continued to make progress in numerous areas this year. We still need to step up in others, but I feel very positive about what we can do next year and in the future.”
Also competing in today’s competition, junior Ciara Leonard (Elkins Park, Pa.) ran in the quarterfinals of the 100m hurdles. She recorded a time of 14.30 to finish 23rd in the event.
The NCAA East Preliminary Rounds serve as the qualifier for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. The top-12 finishers from each event advanced to the national meet.
Virginia will return to action at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. The four-day national meet will begin on June 6.