By Layne Weitzel, TTU Sports Information
TAMPA, Fla. – Tennessee Tech had a rain-soaked day to start off its appearance at the NCAA East Preliminary, hosted in Tampa at the University of South Florida Track & Field Stadium.
All five Golden Eagles were in action in Thursday's meet opener.
D'Airrien Jackson and Na'Asha Robinson each advanced to Friday's 400m dash quarterfinal after finishing within the top 24 spots in Thursday's first round.
Robinson placed 15th (third in her heat) with a season-best time of 52.57. Jackson also put up a season-best time of 52.778 to place 18th overall and second in her heat.
Should the pair place among the top 12 in Friday's quarterfinal, they will advance directly to the NCAA Championships.
Khemani Roberts started off Tech's day in the high jump, making her third NCAA East Preliminary appearance in the event. She reached a height of 1.75m/5'8¾", just an inch off her best mark, to place 21st of the event's 48 jumpers.
Micayla Rennick and Purity Sanga closed Thursday in the late-night 10k. Rennick placed 37th with a time of 36:37.37, while Sanga finished 39th in 36:47.43.
Rennick, Sanga and Roberts all close outstanding seasons – Rennick an outstanding career – for Tech track & field.
