May 25, 2005

Winston-Salem, NC - Twelve Wake Forest track and field athletes travel to Randall's Island, N.Y., for the 2005 NCAA East Regional Championship, May 27-28. Each Deacon will attempt to qualify for the NCAA Championship in Sacramento, Calif., June 8-11.

Athletes who place in the top-five of their respective events at the regional meet will automatically advance to the NCAA Championship. Members of each of the top three relay teams also advance.

If participants finish in the top eight spots in their region, they are placed in a pool with the other top-eight finishers from the other three regions. The eight best times of those 12 can receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship. At-large bids will be announced Tuesday, May 31 at 3:00 p.m.

Senior Annie Bersagel has automatically qualified for the NCAA Championship with her school record, and then-2005 NCAA record time in the 10,000 meter race. The Greeley, Colo., native captured the 2004 and 2005 ACC Outdoor Titles in that event and has been named All-American in the race during each of the last two outdoor seasons.

Deacons traveling this weekend include Michelle Sikes (3,000m SC), Caitlin Chrisman (5,000m), Bersagel (5,000m), Cassy Richards (Long Jump), Lindsay Neuberger (Shot Put), Michael Bingham (400m, 4x100m relay), Chris Catton (800m), Brad Wharton (1,500m), Sean Stevens (5,000m), Mike Loyd (110m hurdles, 4x100m relay), Willie Idlette (4x100m relay) and Oderah Nwaeze (4x100m relay).

Results will be posted at www.WakeForestSports.com at the conclusion of each day of competition. Manhattan College hosts the East Regional. More information can be found on its website, www.gojaspers.com.