Lincoln tracksters qualify for Division II outdoors

The defending national champion Lincoln women will have 12 individual entries and both relays at this year's NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships later this month.

Lincoln teammates Yanique Ellington and Janae Johnson will each compete in the 100- and 200-meter dashes as well as the 4x100-meter relay. Other relay team members are Kimberly Bailey and Keja Christie.

Lovan Palmer also will compete in three events, including the 400-meter dash, the 400-meter hurdles and the 4x400-meter relay. On the relay, Palmer will team with Ebony Rose, Monique Thompson and Willomena Williams.

Williams will also represent the Blue Tigers in the 400, while Thompson and Jhevere Hall will each compete in the 800-meter run.

Ladonna Richards was invited to compete in both the 100- and 400-meter hurdles while Jonelle Campbell was selected to participate in the triple jump.

The Blue Tiger women were ranked No. 3 in the country earlier Tuesday by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Central Missouri is ranked No. 1, followed by New Mexico Highlands.

The Lincoln men qualified eight individuals for the championships.

Miguel Barton leads the Blue Tigers with three entries, including the 200- and 400-meter dashes as well as running on the 4x100-meter relay. Barton will be joined by Roger Blake, Romone Hill and Wesley Best, who was also invited to compete in the 100-meter dash.

Winston Edwards and Darran Hunter will both compete in the 400-meter hurdles while Owen Smith was selected for the triple jump and Sedeekie Edie will enter in the long jump.

The Lincoln men are currently ranked No. 23 for the national championships, which will be held May 21-23, hosted by Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich.

Texas A&M-Commerce is ranked No. 1, with Ashland and Saint Augustine rounding out the top three.

The official qualifying list was released Tuesday by the NCAA.