LEXINGTON, Ky. – The opening day of the NCAA East First Round Outdoor Track & Field Championships featured two Patriots competing on the national stage Wednesday, May 27.
Sophomore Davian Burke made his second appearance at the NCAA East First Round after qualifying as a rookie last season, when he placed 35th in the men's 110m hurdles. Entering this year's regional meet as the 31st seed with a qualifying mark of 13.80, Burke competed among 48 athletes divided into six heats. The top three finishers from each heat, along with the next six fastest times, advanced to the quarterfinals on Friday, May 29.
Competing in Heat 1, Burke delivered a personal-best time of 13.73 to finish with the 17th-fastest overall mark and secure a spot in Friday's quarterfinal round at 6:15 p.m. His performance also moved him to sixth on George Mason's outdoor all-time list in the event.
Senior Walt Bannerman also made his second appearance at the NCAA East First Round in the men's pole vault. Bannerman entered the competition ranked 32nd in the East Region with a seed mark of 5.27m.
He successfully cleared 5.05m and 5.20m on his first attempts before missing on three tries at 5.35m. Bannerman finished 16th overall in the East Region.
The meet marked the conclusion of an outstanding four-year career for Bannerman in Green & Gold. He finishes second in George Mason's all-time indoor list in men's pole vault (5.40m) and third outdoors (5.37m). During his career, Bannerman earned two Atlantic 10 indoor titles along with one outdoor bronze medal and two outdoor gold medals.
In 2024, Bannerman placed 10th at the NCAA East First Round to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., where he earned All-American honors with a 15th-place national finish.
Last year, Bannerman was named the 2025 Men's Team Dr. Pettrone Athlete of the Year at George Mason Athletics' Green & Gold Ceremony.
The Patriots continue competition at the NCAA East First Round on Thursday, May 28, when Kennedy Drish competes in the women's pole vault at 6:30 p.m.
