University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panthers Qualify 15 For NCAA West T&F Meet
5/19/2016 1:59:00 PM | Track and Field
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa track and field program has qualified 15 student-athletes for the 2016 NCAA Division I West Preliminary Round meet in Lawrence, Kan., May 26-28, it was announced today.
UNI's 15 spots in Lawrence are the most qualifiers UNI has had since the 2012 season when the Panthers sent 17 to the NCAA West meet. Highlighting UNI's field is Paige Knodle who punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., for the third time in her career, ranking No. 14 in the country in the heptathlon.
The All-American also qualified for the NCAA West in the 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles and the javelin after breaking the school record in each event this season. Joining Knodle on the women's side in Lawrence will be Maddie Beeler, Brette Correy, Amber Clock, Jamie Lindstrom and Sarah Pate.
Brandon Carnes, a 12-time MVC champion, will make his return to the NCAA West Preliminary Round in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes, headlining the Panther men along with All-American Justin Baker in the shot put and the hammer throw. Seven other UNI men claimed their spots in Lawrence, including Luke Johnston, Jon Rus, Cole Phillips, Daurice Fountain, Shawn Koch, Jake Humpal and Isaac Holtz.
Lindstrom will be appearing in her third career NCAA West meet, competing in both the shot put and the hammer throw while Correy will be making the trip for the second consecutive season to compete in the 800 meters. Joining Correy in the 800 meter race will be senior Amber Clock, with both Correy and Clock ranking in the top-five all-time at UNI in the event.
Like Clock, both Pate and Beeler will be making their first appearances in the NCAA West Preliminary meet, taking on the discus, hammer throw and 400 meter dash, respectively. Pate had a standout season where she finished second at the MVC Championships in the discus while Beeler earned All-MVC in both the indoor and outdoor 400 dashes.
On the men's side, Baker and Carnes will look to secure their spots in Eugene for the second consecutive season. Carnes defended his titles in the 100 and 200 meter dashes this year at the MVC Outdoor Championships with blazing times to rank him high in the country, while Baker broke five school records throughout the outdoor season to rank in the top-10 in both the shot put and hammer throw in the NCAA West.
Jon Rus qualified in the 110-meter hurdles for the second year in a row after placing third in the event at the MVC Championships with a personal-best time of 13.95 to push him into the No. 21 spot in the NCAA West. Rus will have two teammates racing with him in true freshman Cole Phillips and two-sport athlete Daurice Fountain, who will both be making their first trips to the NCAA West meet.
Rounding out UNI's qualifiers is Humpal and Holtz. Holtz is coming off a big win in the discus throw at the MVC Outdoor Championships and will look to continue his momentum in Lawrence while Humpal will take on the shot put after ranking at the No. 39 spot on the list.
The NCAA West Preliminary Round will take place May 26-28 at Rock Chalk Park with some of the best athletes in the country looking to secure a spot in Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Championships, June 8-11. For more information on the meet fans can visit the NCAA West Preliminary Round Central Page or visit www.UNIPanthers.com next week for a full preview.
UNI's 15 spots in Lawrence are the most qualifiers UNI has had since the 2012 season when the Panthers sent 17 to the NCAA West meet. Highlighting UNI's field is Paige Knodle who punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., for the third time in her career, ranking No. 14 in the country in the heptathlon.
The All-American also qualified for the NCAA West in the 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles and the javelin after breaking the school record in each event this season. Joining Knodle on the women's side in Lawrence will be Maddie Beeler, Brette Correy, Amber Clock, Jamie Lindstrom and Sarah Pate.
Brandon Carnes, a 12-time MVC champion, will make his return to the NCAA West Preliminary Round in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes, headlining the Panther men along with All-American Justin Baker in the shot put and the hammer throw. Seven other UNI men claimed their spots in Lawrence, including Luke Johnston, Jon Rus, Cole Phillips, Daurice Fountain, Shawn Koch, Jake Humpal and Isaac Holtz.
Lindstrom will be appearing in her third career NCAA West meet, competing in both the shot put and the hammer throw while Correy will be making the trip for the second consecutive season to compete in the 800 meters. Joining Correy in the 800 meter race will be senior Amber Clock, with both Correy and Clock ranking in the top-five all-time at UNI in the event.
Like Clock, both Pate and Beeler will be making their first appearances in the NCAA West Preliminary meet, taking on the discus, hammer throw and 400 meter dash, respectively. Pate had a standout season where she finished second at the MVC Championships in the discus while Beeler earned All-MVC in both the indoor and outdoor 400 dashes.
On the men's side, Baker and Carnes will look to secure their spots in Eugene for the second consecutive season. Carnes defended his titles in the 100 and 200 meter dashes this year at the MVC Outdoor Championships with blazing times to rank him high in the country, while Baker broke five school records throughout the outdoor season to rank in the top-10 in both the shot put and hammer throw in the NCAA West.
Jon Rus qualified in the 110-meter hurdles for the second year in a row after placing third in the event at the MVC Championships with a personal-best time of 13.95 to push him into the No. 21 spot in the NCAA West. Rus will have two teammates racing with him in true freshman Cole Phillips and two-sport athlete Daurice Fountain, who will both be making their first trips to the NCAA West meet.
Rounding out UNI's qualifiers is Humpal and Holtz. Holtz is coming off a big win in the discus throw at the MVC Outdoor Championships and will look to continue his momentum in Lawrence while Humpal will take on the shot put after ranking at the No. 39 spot on the list.
The NCAA West Preliminary Round will take place May 26-28 at Rock Chalk Park with some of the best athletes in the country looking to secure a spot in Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Championships, June 8-11. For more information on the meet fans can visit the NCAA West Preliminary Round Central Page or visit www.UNIPanthers.com next week for a full preview.
| Athlete | Event | West Ranking |
| Maddie Beeler (SR) | 400 Meters | #46 |
| Brette Correy (JR) | 800 Meters | #24 |
| Amber Clock (SR) | 800 Meters | #26 |
| Paige Knodle (SR) | 100 Hurdles | #14 |
| 400 Hurdles | #19 | |
| Javelin | #33 | |
| Jamie Lindstrom (SR) | Shot Put | #37 |
| Hammer | #48 | |
| Sarah Pate (SO) | Discus | #47 |
| Hammer | #26 | |
| Brandon Carnes (JR) | 100 Meters | #17 |
| 200 Meters | #5 | |
| Luke Johnston (JR) | 800 Meters | #41 |
| Jon Rus (JR) | 110 Hurdles | #21 |
| Cole Phillips (FR) | 110 Hurdles | #42 |
| Daurice Fountain (SO) | 110 Hurdles | #48 |
| Shawn Koch (JR) | Triple Jump | #28 |
| Justin Baker (SR) | Shot Put | #7 |
| Hammer | #9 | |
| Jake Humpal (JR) | Shot Put | #39 |
| Isaac Holtz (SO) | Discus | #34 |
Players Mentioned
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