Rafter, Nicholas Set to Run at NCAA East Prelims

May 20, 2022

Senior Angie Rafter and sophomore Eddie Nicholas of the Central Connecticut track and field programs have qualified to run in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships - East Preliminary in Bloomington, IN, on May 25-28. Rafter qualified to run in the women's 5,000 and 10,000 meter races, while Nicholas will run in the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase.

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS EAST PREMLIMINARY INFO | SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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Rafter qualified for the 5,000 meter race with a time of 16:01.22 to be seeded #22 among the 48 runners in the field. She is seeded 24th in the 10,000 meter with a time of 34:01.76. Rafter was named Most Valuable Performer and Most Outstanding Track Performer (Distance) at the Northeast Conference Championships after winning the 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter races.

Nicholas earned a spot in the East Prelims by turning in a time of 8:47.11 to be seeded 21st in the 48-runner field. Nicholas recorded his time at the Princeton Elite Invitational, setting a CCSU school record in the process. He earned wins in both the 3,000 meter steeplechase (9:11.17) and in the 10,000 meter race (31:11.56) at the NEC Championships.

The women's 10,000 meters is scheduled to be run on Thursday, May 26 at 9:10 p.m. Nicholas will run the 3,000 meter steeplechase on Friday, May 27 at 5:40 p.m. Rafter will run her final event of the weekend on Saturday, May 28, at 8:10 p.m. in the 5000 meters.

The East Preliminary will be held at the Haugh Track & Field Complex on the campus of Indiana University. Tickets for single day admission will be $15, while an all sessions pass is $40 for adults and $35 for college students and youth (18 and under). Children two and under are free.

Athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective event earn a berth into the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds. In addition, the best 24 relays times advance to the NCAA preliminaries. Athletes with the top 12 times/marks and the best 12 relay teams at both the East and West Preliminary Rounds sites will qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, OR. The 2022 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held in Eugene, OR, on June 8-11 at Hayward Field.