Kent State University
NCAA East Preliminary
Bailey Qualifies for Nationals in Shot Put
5/25/2019 8:50:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gabby Bailey punched her ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to lead three members of the Kent State women's track and field team in action as the NCAA East Preliminary Round concluded on Saturday.
Bailey placed sixth in the shot put with a top throw of 54'-1.25" to punch her ticket to nationals. The Portmore, Jamaica native is the Golden Flashes' first true freshman to qualify for the NCAA Championships since 2013 when Dior Delophont and Danniel Thomas-Dodd competed in two events each. Bailey nearly accomplished the same impressive feat but was two spots out of qualification in the discus throw on Friday.
Sophomore Grace Tennant concluded an historic weekend by placing 37th in the shot put with a top throw of 49'-1.5". Tennant was the first Kent State athlete to compete in three individual events in the NCAA East Preliminary Round, as she also finished 30th in the discus throw and 40th in the javelin throw.
Nicole Yeargin's outstanding junior season came to a close with a time of 23.44 in the 200-meter dash, which was good for 20th in the event's quarterfinals. In addition to wining the event at the Mid-American Conference Championships earlier this month, Yeargin set the program record in both the 200m and 400m during the outdoor season.
Bailey will continue Kent State's strong throwing tradition when she competes at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to be held June 5-8 in Austin, Texas. Under the tutelage of associate head coach Nathan Fanger, the Flashes have had at least one national qualifier in a women's throwing event in nine consecutive years.
Players Mentioned
