Montes de Oca Punches Ticket to Eugene

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On Thursday afternoon, Ricardo Montes de Oca from the High Point University men’s track and field team represented the Panthers in the men’s pole vault at the NCAA East First Rounds. The freshman from Venezuela qualified for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, becoming the first men’s pole vaulter to punch their ticket to the big dance.
 
The final 12 competitors advanced to the NCAA Championships in each field and Montes de Oca made the cut after clearing three bars. He opened the day at 5.03m, clearing it with ease on his first attempt. He continued his first attempt streak clearing the second bar at 5.18m.
 
Moving on to the third bar along with 15 other athletes, Montes de Oca missed on his first and second attempts. Not feeling any pressure as a young freshman at his first NCAA’s, he regrouped on his third attempt and sailed over 5.43m. He landed a spot in the top 12 and will advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, OR and will compete on Wednesday, June 11 at 4:35 p.m. at Hayward Field.
 
Brianna Malone competed in the women’s 1500m first rounds on Thursday afternoon. She paced with the front group of runners in the second heat and crossed the finish line in the top five to qualify for the quarterfinals. She clocked a 4:15.50 time. She will compete in the quarterfinals on Saturday, May 31 at 5:15 p.m. The top 12 athletes will move on to the NCAA Championships in June.
 
Due to weather delays, Emily Romano, Auriane Viola and Sydney Horn will resume the women’s pole vault on Friday at 9:30 a.m. Rachel Vesper and Jackson Tuomey also competed in the pole vault on Thursday and concluded their seasons.
 
On Wednesday, Drew Noblet represented the Panthers in the men’s javelin to jumpstart the events. He placed 32nd in his first-ever NCAA First Round appearance, launching the spear 62.13m on his birthday.
 
Weather delays halted the next events, pushing Justin Sluijter to a 10:00 p.m. jump as he registered a second jump of 7.32m to finish 20th. It was the Dutchman’s first time competing at the NCAA East First Round.
 
Camerin Williams wrapped up the opening day, running in the 800m at nearly midnight and advancing to the quarterfinals on Friday at 7:05 p.m. for a spot in Eugene. The freshman set a new personal best and program record with his third-place 1:47.11 finish.
 

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