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Vanier Joseph Advances to Regional Semi-Final in 110-Hurdles

Fabulous freshman hurdler making a splash on the national stage

GREENSBORO, N.C. (EMUEagles.com) – Severe rain and thunderstorms delayed the evening portion of competition on the second day of the NCAA Track and Field Regional Preliminary Round in Greensboro, N.C., but despite the lack of bright skies, the Eagles still shined.

Standout freshman Vanier Joseph qualified for the semi-finals in the 110-meter hurdles as the speedster raced to a 14.14-second 19th place finish overall and a 2nd place finish in his heat of the event. Joseph, who ran in the fifth heat, qualified for the semi-final under the new rules for advancement this year. The top three winners in each heat will advance to the semi-finals, and the next six best times will also advance, making for a 24-person, three heat semi-final. From there, the top three from each heat, as well as the next three best times, will all advance to the finals in Eugene, Ore. The time set a new personal best for Joseph, and was the best time in the even by a Mid-American Conference runner this year.

Ackeem Forde narrowly missed the semi-finals in the 200-meter dash as the six-foot four-inch senior sprinted to a 21.53 time, good for a 5th place finish in heat number three. The time, which was good for 34th place overall, was just two tenths of a second off of the final qualifiers time.

Gerald Gersham finished 27th out of nearly 50 competitors as the senior shot putter had a hurl of 56-02.50. He was able to redeem himself after a disappointing end to the indoor season after fouling on three straight attempts. Despite fouling his final two throws on Friday, Gersham's initial hurl landed him on the board and stood as the 27th overall throw.

Also in the field, women's pole vault specialist Jessica Novakowski placed 21st, also out of nearly 50 competitors, as she cleared 12-03.50.

The severe weather caused the final two events of the day, the men's and women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, to be postponed until Saturday, May 29. Senior distance runner David Brent is slated to run the 3k-steeplechase for the Eagles tomorrow, while the Green and White will also compete in both the men's and women's 4x100-meter dash, the 400-meter dash, and Joseph will attempt to make it to Eugene in the semis of the 110-hurdles.

Men's Shot Put

27. Gerald Gersham 56-02.50

Women's Pole Vault

21. Jessica Novakowski 12-03.50

110-meter hurdles

19. Vanier Joseph 14.14 (fifth heat, 2nd place)

Men's 200-meter dash

34. Ackeem Forde 21.53 (third heat, 5th place)

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