Gingerich, Springer Both Fall Short In 800m

AUSTIN, Texas - After advancing to the top 24 on Thursday eveningMegan Gingerich and Jason Springer both fell short of the top 12 on Friday evening ending the season for the two Eastern Illinois track runners.

Gingerich was competing in the 800m and placed fourth in her heat on Friday evening with a time of 2:07.41 which landed her in 16th place.  The top 12 in the semifinals advanced to the NCAA National Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

In the men's 800m Springer had landed in the top ten following his first round run but was the fifth place finisher in his Friday evening heat.  His time of 1:50.21 landed him 19th.

Earlier in the day senior Kandace Arnold fell short of her bid to advance to the National Championships in two events as she placed 28th in the discus with a throw of 150'1".  On Thursday she placed 8th in the shot put to become the first EIU female athlete to earn a trip to the National Championships.

In the men's high jump senior Ian Winston stood in a 14 way tie for 20th place at 6'9".  Winston was unable to clear a higher mark as the top 12 jumpers advanced to the NCAA Nationals with the a jump off between several athletes at 6'11" setting the final field.

Erin O'Grady competed in the women's steeplechase ending her collegiate career with a 35th place finish in the event.  O'Grady covered the event course in a time of 10:54.33.  O'Grady had been the final accepted entry into the field of 48 for the Regional.

Freshman Jaimee Roy closed out the Regional being hosted by the University of Texas with a jump of 17'1.25" in the women's long jump.  Roy placed 47th.

On Saturday EIU will have Tyler Arnholt competing in the discus and the men's 4x100 relay team also in action.