May 22, 2009

Eugene, Oregon - Cal State Fullerton will send nine student-athletes to the NCAA West Regional Track and Field Championships that begin Friday (May 29) in Eugene, Oregon. Five women and four men will attempt to qualify for nationals, which are scheduled for June 10-13 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The Titans' regional contingent is led by sprinter Ciara Short, who is the first Titan to qualify for three separate events -- the 100, 200 and 400 meters. She will concentrate on the 400 meters, however. Other Titan women qualifiers are Jameena Hunt in the shot put and discus, Kelly MacLean in the pole vault, Juliane Masciana in the 3000 meter steeplechase and Lauren Williams in the 100 meter hurdles. Masciana is ranked No. 4 in the region and also qualified for the 5000 meters but will pass on that race. Williams also is ranked No. 4 in the region in the hurdles.

On the men's side, Johnathan Golden and Laron Brown will compete in the high jump. Golden is tied for the third best mark in the region while Brown is tied for No. 6. Garrett Myers will compete in the long jump (ranked 10th) and triple jump (11th) and Andrew Sullivan competes in the pole vault.

The top five finishers in each region automatically advance to the NCAA Finals. Seven at-large spots will be selected for each event after the regional meets are completed. To be eligible for an at-large spot an athlete must place in the top 12 at the regional. From that pool of athletes the athletes with the seven best seasonal best marks (including regional) will earn an at-large bid.

Johnathan Golden is currently tied for 16th nationally in the high jump, Masciana is ranked 22nd in the steeplechase, and Williams is ranked 24th in the hurdles. If you are in the top 25 nationally you have a pretty good chance of getting an at-large selection.