BRUCE ADVANCES TO NATIONALSMen’s 4x100 relay falls just short
RANDALL ISLAND, N.Y., MAY 29, 2005 – Junior Brandon Via had been the standout all season in the men’s triple jump. But when he committed his third foul at the NCAA East Regional in New York his chances of qualifying for the NCAA Championships slipped away.
There was no need to fret, however. In stepped senior Everett Bruce, who hasn’t been too shabby in the triple jump himself this season. Bruce leaped 51-0 to finish fourth and qualify for the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif., June 8-10.
The top five individuals in each event other than relays advanced to the nationals. The top three teams in the relay event advanced.
Via came into the East Regional with longest leap in the nation this year at 53-1. But he fouled on all of his attempts, shutting the door on his national championship hopes. Bruce had been one step behind Via all season. In many of the meets this season, Bruce would finish either third or second behind Via.
In order for the Aggies to have any representation at the nationals, he would need to exceed his teammate. He did so, and in earned the Aggies lone invite to California.
Justin Byron, Eric Worthington, Antonio Lee and Robert Martin almost joined Bruce in California by advancing in the 4x100 relay. The foursome fell a few seconds shy of qualifying, finishing fourth and ending a heartbreaking month that saw them miss on an MEAC Outdoor title in the 4x100 because of a disqualification.
Other close calls included, Bryon’s eighth place finish in the 400 meters and Chris Walker’s ninth place leap in the men’s high jump at 6-11. Byron, the MEAC Outdoor Champion in the 200 and 400 meters, finished 12th in the 200 meters with a time of 21.12.
On the women’s side, MEAC Outdoor Champion Tiffany Green finished ninth in the 100 meters, while Toya Wood and Lauren Taylor had a pair of 23rd place finishes in the shot put and long jump respectively.
In all, the Aggies sent 17 athletes to New York over the weekend. They had six top 10 finishes and nine top 15 finishes. The Aggies will host the 2006 NCAA East Regional at Belk Track, which will mark the first time an HBCU has hosted a track regional.