May 30, 2009

Results from the 2009 NCAA East Regional Track & Field Championships

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Senior Ryann Hendricks finished fifth in the triple jump to earn a berth in the NCAA Championships as the George Mason track and field team competed this past weekend at the NCAA East Regional Championships at N.C. A&T University's Irwin Belk Track.

Hendricks was one of four individuals to compete for the Patriots, along with a men's relay, and her mark of 13.11 meters in flight two of the triple jump finals ranked fifth among the field. The mark, which at 43 feet and one-fourth of an inch ranks third all-time among Mason female triple jumpers, was tops in her flight and as one of the top-five, qualifying her for next month's national championships at Fayetteville, Ark.

Freshman Rachaunn Ruffin also recorded a top-eight finish as he advanced to the finals of the men's 100-meter dash and placed seventh with a time of 10.51. Ruffin competed in the 200-meter dash as well, where he finished 15th in the preliminaries with a time of 21.32.

Hendricks was Mason's other double-qualifier, as she competed in the long jump on Friday afternoon but registered a foul on each of her three attempts.

Rounding out the action on the women's side, junior Tiara Swindell recorded the 17th-place time in the prelims of the 400-meter dash, crossing the line in 55.23. Junior Sam Horn competed in the 800-meter run and placed 34th in the preliminaries with a time of 1:54.20.

Finally, the Mason men's 4x400-meter relay squad consisting of freshman Kevin Wilson, junior Marcus Wyche, freshman Tom Troxell and Horn finished its event in 3:20.87, good for 17th place.

The 2009 NCAA Championships will be held from June 10-13 on the campus of the University of Arkansas. At-large selections will be announced Tuesday at 3 p.m.