Eleven University of Wyoming track and field athletes begin their quest to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships Thursday in Sacramento, CA.

The NCAA West Preliminary meet is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It’s hosted by Sacramento State.

Seven of the student-athletes will compete in events today. Two, with a possible third, will compete Friday, while there’s a pair of individuals and a relay team slated to participate Saturday.

Kirk Unland and Eric McArthur will throw the hammer today. Also on the schedule is William Nolan in the long jump. Emelda Malm-Annan competes in the women’s hammer throw. There will be first-round action for Jerayah Davis in the women’s 100-meter dash. Davis and Ja’la Henderson are scheduled to compete in the long jump. Finally, Chris Henry, the Laramie native, runs in the 10,000 meters late tonight.

On Friday, should Davis qualify, she’ll be running in the quarterfinals of the women’s 100-meter dash. Both Wyoming steeplechase participants will be in action. Kacey Doner and Harry Ewing will race Friday night.

Finally, Saturday’s action features Henderson in the triple jump. That’s an event she won a year ago at this meet. The women’s 4x100 meter relay, with the second-fastest time in school history, will compete. Lastly, Nolan has his second event, the men’s triple jump.

To qualify for this meet, student-athletes must rank in the top 48 of their event within the region.

The 11 UW student-athletes are trying to finish among the top-12 to gain a bid to the NCAA Championships in Austin, TX, June 5-8.

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