LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Patriots had their busiest day of the NCAA East First Round on Friday, May 29, as three members of the George Mason men's track & field team competed on the national stage.

Freshman Kellen La Roche opened the day in the men's high jump. Entering the competition ranked 39th in the East Region with a season-best mark of 2.12m, La Roche competed in a field of 48 athletes, with only the top 12 advancing to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore.

The big stage did not faze the rookie. La Roche cleared the opening height of 2.06m on his first attempt. After the field was narrowed to 36 competitors, the bar was raised to 2.11m. Following a narrow miss on his first try, La Roche cleared the height on his second attempt. He was unable to clear 2.16m despite several strong efforts, finishing tied for 17th place and outperforming his regional seed.

La Roche is next scheduled to compete in the high jump at the 2026 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on June 18-19.

Alex DeRoussel was the first member of George Mason's distance squad to compete, taking on the men's 3000m steeplechase. Battling a lingering injury, DeRoussel finished 41st overall with a time of 9:16.69, exceeding his regional ranking. He is set to return next season and compete during the Patriots' cross country, indoor, and outdoor campaigns, building on the momentum from a successful year highlighted by his debut at the NCAA East First Round.

Davian Burke concluded the day for George Mason in the quarterfinals of the men's 110m hurdles. Burke advanced to Friday's race after clocking a personal-best 13.77 in the opening round on Wednesday. Entering the meet ranked 31st in the East Region, Burke finished 21st overall with a time of 13.88.

The quarterfinal appearance capped a successful sophomore season for Burke, who climbed George Mason's all-time performance lists and earned bronze medals in both the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles at the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championships.

The Patriots conclude competition at the NCAA East First Round on Saturday, May 31. Abby Weening will compete in the women's high jump at 2 p.m., while Ella Semple is scheduled to race in the women's 5000m at 8:10 p.m.