Sooners Add Three NCAA Regional T&F Qualifiers

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Four Sooners met NCAA Regional qualifying marks today at the Georgia Tech Invitational. Three were first-time qualifiers in the event they competed in today while Jessica Eldridge improved her season best time in the 1500 in the final weekend to qualify for regional action.

Eldridge came close to breaking the school record in the 1500, an event she had already qualified in, finishing fifth with a time of 4:18.30. It's the second best time in school history and a career best for the freshman by nearly nine seconds.

Catherine Odell, running in the first 3000-meter steeplechase of her career, qualified for regionals with a 10:54.79. She finished seventh overall with that time, also the second best mark in school history.

On the men's side, Salah Hussein, who just barely missed in the 1500 two weeks ago at the Big 12, got his regional qualifying mark with a time of 3:44.77. That lowered his career best by five seconds and is the second best mark in school history. He finished 10th overall while Jason Coleman finished with a career best mark of 3:51.77.

Blake Culp took another five seconds off his career best, finishing seventh in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a regional qualifying time of 9:06.97. That mark is the sixth best in school history and give the sophomore a first-ever trip to the NCAA Regional meet.

Action continues Saturday in the Georgia Tech Invitational during the final weekend of qualifying for the NCAA Regional. All qualifying marks must be recorded by Sunday. Also on Saturday, senior Robert Smith will be going for a regional mark in the triple jump at the Ward Haylett Invitational in Manhattan, Kan.

The NCAA Midwest Regional Championship is scheduled for May 28-29 in College Station, Texas. Those who advance to the NCAA Championship will head to Austin, Texas, for that meet which is scheduled for June 9-12.

Heading into this weekend, the Sooners had individuals qualified in 19 events and one relay that had met the regional qualifying mark.